Gymnastics Doctor Pleads Guilty in Sex Abuse Case

Larry Nassar will face at least 25 years in prison
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Nov 22, 2017 10:42 AM CST
Gymnastics Doctor Pleads Guilty in Sex Abuse Case
In this Feb. 17, 2017, file photo, Dr. Larry Nassar listens to testimony of a witness during a preliminary hearing in Lansing, Mich.   (Robert Killips/Lansing State Journal via AP, File)

A sports doctor accused of molesting girls while working for USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University pleaded guilty Wednesday to multiple charges of sexual assault and will face at least 25 years in prison, the AP reports. Dr. Larry Nassar, 54, was charged with molesting seven girls, mostly under the guise of treatment at his Lansing-area home and a campus clinic. All but one of his accusers were gymnasts. He faces similar charges in a neighboring county and lawsuits filed by more than 125 women and girls. Olympic gymnasts Aly Raisman, McKayla Maroney, and Gabby Douglas are among the women who have publicly said they were among Nassar's victims.

Some of his accusers attended the hearing Wednesday in a packed Ingham County courtroom. Some were crying. The girls have testified that Nassar molested them with his hands, sometimes when a parent was present in the room, while they sought help for gymnastics injuries. Nassar admitted to digital penetration of the victims and agreed that his conduct had no legitimate medical purpose and that he didn't have the girls' consent. The plea deal in Ingham County calls for a minimum prison sentence of 25 years, but a judge could set the minimum sentence as high as 40 years. In Michigan, inmates are eligible for parole after serving a minimum sentence. Sentencing was set for Jan. 12. Separately, Nassar is charged with similar crimes in Eaton County, the location of an elite gymnastics club. He also is awaiting sentencing in federal court on child pornography charges.

(More Larry Nassar stories.)

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