IOWA CITY, Iowa — Sean Gardner, a former coach at Chow’s Gymnastics and Dance Institute, was arrested by the FBI last week on federal child pornography charges. This arrest comes more than three years after he was suspended from coaching due to allegations of sexual abuse involving young gymnasts.

Gardner, 38, moved to Iowa in 2018 to work at the elite gymnastics academy, which has produced Olympic champions like Shawn Johnson and Gabby Douglas. Liang “Chow” Qiao, the academy's owner, initially placed Gardner in charge of significant events and coaching roles. However, Gardner's tenure ended abruptly in 2022 when he was suspended from all contact with gymnasts after being reported to USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Center for SafeSport.

Court records reveal that Gardner is accused of sexually abusing at least three young gymnasts at Chow’s and of secretly recording others undressing at his previous job in Mississippi. Despite the serious nature of the allegations, Gardner was able to secure a job caring for surgical patients at an Iowa hospital in 2024, two years after the abuse claims were reported.

The FBI's investigation into Gardner intensified after West Des Moines police executed a search warrant at his home in late May. They discovered numerous photos and videos on his devices, including explicit images of young girls, some believed to have been taken with a hidden camera in a restroom.

The timeline of events shows a troubling pattern. A girl reported to SafeSport in March 2022 that Gardner had used inappropriate techniques during training, which included touching her inappropriately. Following this report, SafeSport suspended Gardner in July 2022, but the investigation faced significant delays. Critics of SafeSport have pointed out that the organization’s processes can be slow and opaque, leaving victims and the public in the dark.

Attorney Steve Silvey, a critic of SafeSport, stated, "From an outward operational view, it seems that if SafeSport is involved in any way, the situation turns glow-in-the-dark toxic."

In April 2024, another former student came forward with allegations against Gardner, describing him as a father figure who had crossed boundaries during their interactions. This prompted renewed police interest in the case, which had previously stalled due to a lack of cooperation from victims.

Gardner's initial court appearance took place in Des Moines, where he faces a charge of producing visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, a crime that could result in a prison sentence of up to 30 years. He is currently being held at the Polk County Jail and is expected to be transferred to Mississippi to face additional charges.

The investigation has raised questions about the effectiveness of SafeSport in handling allegations of abuse. While the organization claims it can impose sanctions even without criminal charges, Gardner's ability to work in healthcare highlights the limitations of its authority.

As the case unfolds, the gymnastics community continues to grapple with the implications of these allegations and the ongoing need for accountability and protection for young athletes.