Ex coach arrested on federal charge after abuse allegations

A former Chow’s Gymnastics coach faces federal charges tied to abuse allegations spanning two states and questions about safeguarding in youth sports.

Ex coach arrested on federal charge after abuse allegations

Sean Gardner, a long-time coach at Chow’s Gymnastics and Dance Institute in West Des Moines, is accused of sexually abusing at least three young gymnasts at Chow’s and secretly recording others undressing at his prior job in Mississippi. Gardner joined Chow’s in 2018 and was placed in charge of the club’s premier junior program and key events. SafeSport suspended him in 2022 after initial misconduct reports, but the findings have not been publicly resolved by the agency, and authorities kept pursuing criminal questions.

Last week the FBI arrested Gardner on a federal charge related to producing visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Investigators later found nude images and videos of girls aged roughly 6 to 14 on Gardner’s devices, with some material linked to Jump'In Gymnastics in Purvis, Mississippi, which has since closed. A 2024 report from a Chow’s student, now 18, prompted renewed police attention, and a May search of Gardner’s home yielded a trove of material. SafeSport’s actions—while they can prevent contact with youth athletes—do not automatically shield the broader public, underscoring gaps between sports safeguards and criminal investigations.

The case highlights a longstanding tension in youth sports between safeguarding bodies and criminal justice processes. SafeSport can act quickly with temporary suspensions, but its investigations are often slow and its information-sharing practices limited, leaving families in limbo while allegations play out in court. Critics argue that the system can fail victims who seek protection beyond the gym, while supporters point to resource limits and the complexity of cases involving multiple jurisdictions. The pursuit of accountability now crosses into health care and employment arenas, illustrating how far safeguards must extend beyond sports walls to protect vulnerable young people.

Highlights

The pursuit of safety in youth sports remains a work in progress, demanding clearer rules and swifter action.