FBI arrests Iowa gymnastics coach on abuse charges

The coach is accused of abusing young gymnasts and secretly recording others, highlighting gaps in safeguarding systems.

FBI arrests Iowa gymnastics coach on abuse charges

Sean Gardner, 38, was arrested by the FBI in Des Moines on a federal charge of producing visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Court records show he coached at Chow’s Gymnastics and Dance Institute in West Des Moines after moving from Jump In Gymnastics in Mississippi in 2018, where he is accused of abusing young gymnasts and secretly recording others undressing in a gym bathroom. He was suspended by SafeSport in 2022 after reports surfaced of inappropriate behavior toward students, a case that has not yet been resolved.

Last May investigators recovered digital material from Gardner’s devices, including dozens of images and hundreds of videos involving nude or partially clothed girls, some linked to the Mississippi facility that has since closed. The FBI matter adds to questions about how SafeSport sanctions interact with criminal prosecutions, and why cross‑jurisdictional cases can linger for years while athletes wait for protection and accountability.

The case exposes how safeguarding reforms in sport still rely on slow, interwoven processes. Victims and their families face barriers to reporting, and sanctions do not always shield other settings where an abuser may work. Critics argue that SafeSport’s investigative pace and transparency undermine trust, while supporters say the system provides a needed interim safeguard when criminal charges are pending.

Beyond sports, the incident highlights a broader question about professional boundaries and safety culture. Gardner’s ability to land a new health care job in 2024 after SafeSport involvement underscores concerns about how sanctions travel outside athletic programs and the need for stronger information sharing across sectors. The community awaits clearer standards and swifter action that protects young people without eroding due process.

Highlights

The fight for safeguarding in sport is ongoing and must move faster than rumor and delay.