by West Des Moines, Iowa — A former youth gymnastics coach once employed at Iowa’s most prestigious training center was arrested on federal child pornography charges years after multiple athletes accused him of sexual abuse.
FBI Arrests Former Coach
Sean Gardner, 38, was taken into custody by the FBI after investigators discovered hundreds of images and videos of children on his electronic devices. According to court documents, Gardner is accused of producing explicit materials involving minors and faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted.
The evidence reportedly included footage of girls between the ages of 6 and 14, filmed nude or in compromising situations using a hidden camera. Many of these videos are believed to have been recorded at Jump’In Gymnastics in Purvis, Mississippi, where Gardner coached between 2017 and 2018.
History at Chow’s Gymnastics in Iowa
Gardner previously worked at Chow’s Gymnastics and Dance Institute in West Des Moines, the same academy that trained Olympic gold medalists Shawn Johnson and Gabby Douglas. Chow’s suspended him in 2022 following a review by the U.S. Center for SafeSport, which handles misconduct cases in Olympic sports.
The suspension came after a gymnast reported inappropriate touching and verbal abuse, claiming Gardner would grope athletes while assisting with routines and demean them with sexually degrading language.
Allegations Spanning Multiple States
Gardner’s coaching career spanned facilities in Iowa, Mississippi, and Louisiana. At Athletes in Motion in Louisiana, where he worked from 2004 to 2014, gym officials have confirmed they are cooperating fully with investigators.
A second gymnast came forward in 2024, saying Gardner began coaching her when she was just 11 or 12 years old. She described him as a “father figure” but alleged that he repeatedly touched her inappropriately, forced her into explicit stretching positions that he recorded, and spoke to her about his sex life.
Law Enforcement Search and Discovery
In May 2024, after months of investigation, West Des Moines police obtained a warrant to search Gardner’s home. Authorities seized multiple electronic devices, which contained handwritten notes between Gardner and his former students, as well as explicit recordings believed to have been made without the children’s knowledge.
The FBI confirmed that Gardner “primarily targeted children” during his time as a coach. Officials are now working to identify additional potential victims.
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Employment at Iowa Hospital
After being suspended from Chow’s, Gardner was hired as a surgical technologist at MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center. A hospital spokesperson told local media that Gardner is no longer employed there following his arrest.
Current Status and Next Steps
Gardner is currently being held at Polk County Jail and made his initial appearance in a Des Moines courtroom last Friday. The U.S. Marshals Service confirmed he will be transported to Mississippi, where the child pornography charges originated.
If convicted, Gardner faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to 30 years in federal prison. The FBI has urged anyone with information about additional victims to come forward.
What are your thoughts on how long it took to bring charges against Gardner despite years of allegations? Share your views with us in the comments at ibwhsmag.com.
