Sharp coached 2 members of the 2008 US women’s Olympic team.
By Raif Karerat
The head coach of an Indianapolis gymnastics academy who was jailed on charges of child pornography and molestation has been found dead of an apparent suicide in his cell, authorities reported Monday,
Marion County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Katie Carlson says 49-year-old Marvin Sharp, who coached two members of the 2008 U.S. women’s Olympic team, died Saturday night.
Sharp, the USA Gymnastics 2010 Coach of the Year, was arrested August 24 on four counts of child molestation and three counts of sexual misconduct with a minor. A probable cause affidavit stated he repeatedly fondled or touched a 14-year-old girl he had coached.
He also faced federal charges of having knowingly received and possessed child pornography.
According to a Marion County indictment, Sharp used his academy as an arena for scouting out girls to sexually abuse. He allegedly used “physical therapy” sessions as an excuse to fondle his prepubescent gymnasts. He required some girls to exercise without underwear and stayed in connected rooms with the door open during travel trips.
Sharp also allegedly used a photo studio affiliated with his academy to take inappropriate pictures of underage girls, reported the Washington Post. The 14-year-old told detectives that “Marvin had her sitting on blocks and had her spread her legs, which seemed both inappropriate and creepy to her,” according to the indictment. He allegedly photographed her in lingerie and even a straitjacket, and frequently fondled her while “fixing her underwear.”
Sharp’s alleged transgressions came to the surface in late August, when the 14-year-old came forward after two years of abuse. Speaking to investigators on Aug. 23, she alleged there were a slew of other victims, some young as five-years-old.
When asked about the 14-year-old who complained to police, Sharp denied any wrongdoing, instead claiming that he was simply taking “muscle pictures” of her in her underwear and that nothing happened while staying in hotels together, according to The Post.
Currently, while no foul play is suspected in Sharp’s death, follow-up investigation is being conducted by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Marion County Coroner’s Office, reported local NBC affiliate WTHR.