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John Geddert, the former U.S. Olympic gymnastics trainer accused of several crimes including human trafficking, has died by suicide, the Michigan attorney general’s office said Thursday.
No further details have been released, according to FOX17 West Michigan. He was due to be arraigned Thursday afternoon after Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said he was supposed to surrender. Nessel’s office told Detroit News he had not surrendered.
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The 63-year-old was indicted in Michigan on Thursday. Prosecutors said Geddert is also accused of lying to investigators about complaints about disgraced doctor Larry Nassar, who is serving years in prison for sexually assaulting female athletes under suspicion of medical treatment. Nassar also treated injured athletes at the Geddert Gymnasium in Michigan.
He was charged with first and second degree criminal sexual assault, 20 counts of human trafficking, forced labor, six counts of human trafficking of a minor, forced labor, exploitation of ‘criminal enterprise and lying to the police.
Prosecutors acknowledged that human trafficking charges were a rare use of Michigan law.
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“We think it mostly affects people of color or those who can’t afford to protect themselves … but honestly, it can happen to anyone, anywhere,” the attorney general said. Michigan, Dana Nessel. “Impressionable young women can sometimes be vulnerable and open to trafficking crimes, regardless of their stature in the community or the financial well-being of their families.”
Nessel added: “It is alleged that John Geddert used force, fraud and coercion against young athletes who came to see him to train in gymnastics for his financial benefit. The victims suffered from eating disorders, including bulimia, anorexia, attempted suicide and self-harm, excessive physical conditioning, being forced to perform repeatedly, even with injury, extreme emotional abuse and physical abuse, including including sexual assault. “
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Geddert was the head coach of the 2012 United States Women’s Olympic Gymnastics Team, which won a gold medal thanks to the performances of Jordyn Wieber, Gabby Douglas, Aly Raisman, Kyla Ross and McKayla Maroney.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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