FBI apprehends coach from US gymnastics academy, charged with sexually exploiting minor girls and producing child pornography
In August 2025, Sean Michael Gardner, a former gymnastics coach associated with Chow's Gymnastics and Dance Institute in Iowa, was arrested on federal charges related to producing child pornography. The FBI is actively seeking to identify potential victims linked to Gardner's alleged offenses.
The images, which appear to have come from a hidden camera in a restroom, include nude images of girls, approximately 6 to 14 years of age, using the toilet or changing into leotards. Court records obtained by The Associated Press show Gardner was accused of sexually abusing at least three young gymnasts at Chow's and secretly recording others undressing in a gym bathroom at his previous place of employment.
Gardner had been a prominent figure at Chow's Gymnastics and Dance Institute, coaching U.S. gymnastics stars Shawn Johnson and Gabby Douglas before they became gold medalists at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. He was promoted to director of Chow's Winter Classic, an annual meet that draws more than 1,000 gymnasts to Iowa. Several of his students earned college gymnastics scholarships, and he also coached a junior Olympics team during his four-year tenure at Chow's.
In March 2022, a girl reported to SafeSport that Gardner used "inappropriate spotting techniques" in which he would put his hands between her legs. Investigators seized a cellphone, laptop, and a desktop computer from Gardner, discovering 50 video files and 400 photos, including some that appeared to be child pornography.
Sean Gardner told WOI-TV in 2019 that his position at Chow's was the job he's "always wanted." However, he was previously suspended from coaching at Chow's Gymnastics and Dance Institute in West Des Moines, Iowa, for alleged sexual abuse. Gardner appeared in a Des Moines courtroom on a charge of producing visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
Following the arrest, Gardner is being detained at the Polk County Jail in Des Moines. He is currently being transported to Mississippi to face a federal child pornography charge. Our website Digital has reached out to Chow's Gymnastics and Dance Institute for comment regarding Gardner's arrest and any potential misconduct at the facility.
This case is part of a broader federal investigation into serious criminal conduct involving gymnastics coaches in Iowa, highlighting efforts by authorities to address potential abuse in the sport. The investigation underscores the importance of reporting any suspected misconduct and ensuring a safe environment for young athletes.
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