Rachael Denhollander is one of two former gymnasts who have contacted IndyStar about alleged sexual abuse by longtime USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. She filed an August criminal complaint in Michigan. LANSING, Mich. — For the second time this year, the former longtime team doctor for USA Gymnastics has been arrested, this time on federal child pornography charges. Michigan officials previously charged Larry Nassar in November with three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person younger than 13. The new arrest on Friday is based on a federal indictment in which Nassar is charged with receipt and attempted receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography. The indictment says that between 2003 and this year, Nassar possessed “thousands of images of child pornography” with file names such as “pedo-vicky_10_year_old_orgasm” and “Kelly 13 young girl.” Allegations against Nassar surfaced after an IndyStar investigation in August revealed top officials at USA Gymnastics failed to report many allegations they received regarding sexual abuse to police or child welfare authorities. In September, IndyStar first reported sexual abuse allegations against Nassar by two women, including an Olympic medal winner. After that story, more than 50 people filed sexual assault complaints about the osteopathic physician with police at Michigan State University, where Nassar worked at a clinic. The abuse is alleged to have occurred from 1996 to 2016. A 20-year toll: 368 gymnasts allege sexual exploitation Before his arrest Friday, Nassar was free on $1 million bond on the state charges, which carry a potential sentence of life in prison. Nassar's latest arrest came one day after IndyStar published an investigaton revealing at least 368 gymnasts had made sexual abuse allegations against coaches, gym owners and other adults working in the sport, including Nassar, over the last 20 years. Nassar worked as the team doctor for USA Gymnastics for nearly 30 years, accompanying America's top gymnasts to four Olympic Games and numerous international competitions. USA Gymnastics said it cut ties with Nassar in 2015 in response to “athlete concerns,” and alerted the FBI. But USA Gymnastics let it appear that Nassar had retired, which allowed the osteopathic physician to continue working with gymnasts in Michigan and athletes at Michigan Sate University for nearly a year. USA Gymnastics told IndyStar the FBI prohibited officials from telling anyone about the investigation. A blind eye to sex abuse: How USA Gymnastics failed to report cases The two women who shared their stories with IndyStar said the alleged molestation occurred during multiple treatments in the 1990s and early 2000s. The two women, who were juveniles at the time, said the doctor fondled their genitals and breasts. One of them said Nassar also spoke about oral sex and made other inappropriate comments when they were alone, according to court records. The other woman said she told police Nassar was visibly aroused as he examined her during one medical visit. The state charges filed in November did not, however, involve a gymnast. The victim in that case was "just a child. A little child," Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said last month. Court documents say the abuse occurred between 1998 and 2005. "She provides fortitude to every woman, every girl and every daughter," Schuette said of the victim, who's referred to in court documents as "Victim A." The attorney general said at the time that the three felony charges against Nassar are the "tip of the iceberg." He added "many, many" complaints have been made against Nassar, and "we are hopeful that other victims may step forward." "The guy was a predator ... we'll get the conviction," Schuette said at a news conference. Source
