A gymnastics coach who betrayed the trust of families across America received 90 years in federal prison for secretly filming young athletes changing clothes and using bathroom facilities. Sean Gardner exploited his position at prestigious gyms to create horrific recordings of children, some younger than 12 years old.
Trusted Coach Became Predator
Gardner, 39, from West Des Moines, Iowa, pleaded guilty to three counts of producing child sexual abuse material and received three consecutive 30-year prison terms. U.S. District Judge Kristi Johnson handed down the sentence on October 14, also ordering lifetime supervised release and approximately $9,290 in restitution payments to victims. Gardner worked at the renowned Chow’s Gymnastics and Dance Institute, known for training Olympic champions.
Federal prosecutors revealed Gardner used concealed cameras to secretly record children at a gymnastics facility in Purvis, Mississippi, where he coached from 2017 to 2018. FBI agents discovered multiple electronic devices during a search of his Iowa home containing numerous images and videos of partially undressed children. Forensic examination confirmed several recordings came from bathroom facilities at the Mississippi gym, with investigators identifying former gymnastics students in the footage.
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Parents Raised Alarms Years Earlier
The case exposed troubling delays in response to parent complaints. West Des Moines police began investigating in March 2022 after a gymnast reported inappropriate touching at Chow’s Gymnastics dating back to 2018. The investigation went dormant when the initial victim declined to pursue charges. Police only reactivated the case in April 2024 when a second gymnast came forward, alleging Gardner recorded her during inappropriate stretches.
The U.S. Center for SafeSport received initial reports about Gardner’s conduct with minor athletes and referred the matter to federal law enforcement. FBI agents arrested Gardner in August 2025. U.S. Attorney J.E. Baxter Kruger called it one of the most reprehensible crimes his office has prosecuted, emphasizing how Gardner exploited children he was entrusted to mentor and protect.
What This Means For Youth Sports
This case highlights critical gaps in youth sports safety protocols. The multi-year delay between initial complaints and arrest raises serious questions about whether organizations prioritized protecting young athletes. Gardner’s access to prestigious gymnastics programs gave him proximity to vulnerable children whose parents trusted him completely. His sentence sends a message, but the damage to victims and their families remains permanent. Parents must demand immediate action when allegations surface, not bureaucratic delays that allow predators to continue operating.