US Gymnastics Coach Sentenced to 90 Years for Secretly Recording Young Athletes Undressing

A former gymnastics coach in the United States has been sentenced to 90 years in federal prison for secretly recording young gymnasts in a bathroom at a training facility in Mississippi, according to court proceedings and media reports. Sean Gardner, 39, received the sentence on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, after pleading guilty to three federal counts involving the production of child sexual abuse material. US District Judge Kristi Johnson imposed a 30-year prison term for each count.

According to investigators, Gardner installed a concealed camera in a bathroom at a gymnastics studio in Purvis, Mississippi, and used it to record young athletes between December 2017 and April 2018. Authorities later recovered videos and photographs involving minors during an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct.

The recordings reportedly included at least 10 children, some of whom were younger than 12. Investigators uncovered the material while examining allegations connected to Gardner's later work in Iowa. Gardner subsequently worked at Chow's Gymnastics and Dance Institute in West Des Moines, where he coached young athletes. Allegations of sexual misconduct involving him also emerged in Iowa, prompting further scrutiny of the handling of complaints by sports organisations.

The federal case focused on the hidden-camera recordings made in Mississippi. Separate allegations involving Gardner's time in Iowa have been addressed through other legal and investigative processes and should not be confused with the offences covered by the federal sentence. The case has also raised questions about safeguarding procedures in youth sports. Civil lawsuits have alleged that organisations responsible for gymnastics oversight received information about concerns involving Gardner. The handling of such reports has become a focus of broader scrutiny surrounding athlete protection and accountability.

The case highlights the importance of effective child-protection policies at sports facilities, including clear reporting channels, prompt investigations and appropriate action when allegations of misconduct arise. Gardner's 90-year prison sentence marks a significant development in the federal prosecution. Meanwhile, related legal disputes involving allegations against other parties and the handling of safeguarding concerns have continued to draw attention to the responsibilities of organisations working with young athletes.