Former Gymnastics Coach Sean Gardner Arrested on Child Pornography Charges After Years of Abuse Allegations

The gymnastics world is facing another devastating scandal after former coach Sean Gardner was arrested in August 2025 on federal child pornography charges. His arrest comes more than three years after he was first suspended for alleged sexual misconduct with athletes, reigniting concerns about athlete safety in a sport still reeling from past abuse cases.

Sean Gardner’s Journey From Rising Coach to Accused Abuser

Sean Gardner began his coaching career at Chow’s Gymnastics and Dance Institute in West Des Moines, Iowa, a program known for producing Olympic champions like Shawn Johnson and Gabby Douglas. Joining the staff in 2018, he quickly moved up, working with junior Olympic teams and coordinating large competitions that brought in over 1,000 gymnasts each year. Gardner often described the role as his dream job, saying he wanted to inspire young athletes.But by March 2022, troubling reports emerged. A gymnast accused Gardner of using “inappropriate spotting techniques,” touching her between the legs and on private areas. She also claimed he made sexual remarks and asked minors about their sex lives. Other athletes backed up these accounts, alleging similar conduct.SafeSport, the body established to oversee athlete protection in U.S. sports after the Larry Nassar scandal, suspended Gardner in mid-2022.

Despite that, he found work as a surgical technologist while the investigation into his conduct dragged on.

The Evidence That Changed Everything for Gardner

The case escalated in May 2025 when federal agents searched Gardner’s home. Investigators uncovered evidence that painted a chilling picture: • Hundreds of pornographic images of children, some as young as six. • Hidden cameras placed inside gym bathrooms in both Iowa and Mississippi. • Electronic devices filled with thousands of images and dozens of videos. • Footage directly showing Gardner tampering with one of the hidden cameras. • Secret recordings of an adult woman, believed to be his former girlfriend, filmed without her consent.

Survivors Testimony against Sean Gardner

Several gymnasts later came forward with their own stories, alleging years of inappropriate touching, forced stretches that exposed them, and sexual comments during practice. Some believed Gardner had secretly recorded them with his phone.Survivors described lasting trauma, including anxiety and a deep mistrust of authority figures. Their testimonies reignited anger over whether SafeSport and other institutions are doing enough to protect athletes, especially after the high-profile cases of Larry Nassar and John Geddert.

Sean Gardner in Court

Sean Gardner, 38, appeared in federal court in Des Moines on August 15, 2025. He faces charges of producing visual depictions of minors in sexually explicit conduct, a crime that carries a possible 30-year prison sentence.

He is currently being held while awaiting extradition to Mississippi for additional charges.Authorities believe more victims may come forward as the investigation expands. Advocacy groups are urging survivors of abuse in sports to seek help and use available support systems.

How Gardner’s Case is a Reckoning for Gymnastics

While Gardner’s arrest is a deeply troubling development, it also serves as a stark reminder of the resilience of survivors who chose to speak out despite fear and stigma.

Their voices pushed this case forward, even as the system lagged behind.The scandal highlights a broader cultural problem in gymnastics - one where prestige and reputation too often outweigh athlete safety. It echoes a troubling pattern: no matter how well-known the coach or respected the gym, silence can be broken and justice pursued, even if it takes years.If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse, help is available through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE.