Former Coach at Prominent U.S. Gymnastics Academy Arrested by FBI Following Longstanding Abuse Allegations | Crime Alert 6AM 08.26.25

A former gymnastics coach has been arrested by the FBI in Iowa—more than three years after being flagged for sexual abuse and suspended by the U.S. Center for SafeSport.

An American identified only as Martin D. has been indicted in Germany on espionage charges.

Wyoming authorities are investigating a second fatal shooting involving an F-E Warren Air Force Base airman.

Prosecutors in Utah have announced plans to seek the death penalty in the case of Ryan Michael Bate, accused of killing two police officers during a domestic disturbance.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Crime Alert. I'm John Lemley, a former gymnastics coach, has
been arrested by the FBI in Iowa, more than three
years after being flagged for sexual abuse and suspended by
the US Center for Safe Sport. The coach, Shaan Gardner,
is accused of producing child pornography. Authorities say he clandestinely

(00:22):
recorded young gymnasts, including children as young as six, with
hidden cameras as they changed clothing. These materials were discovered
during a twenty twenty four investigation triggered by a new
victim coming forward. Gardner, who worked at West Des Moines's
Elite Chow's Gymnastics and previously coached in Mississippi and Louisiana,

(00:44):
managed to secure a job at a hospital despite being
banned from sports in twenty twenty two. Highlighting gaps in
safe sports authority outside athletics, this case reopens difficult questions
about the effectiveness and transparency of abuse reporting systems in
youth sports, especially in the shadow of the Larry Nasser scandal.

(01:07):
Gardner remains in custody and awaits transfer to Mississippi, where
he will face formal charges.

Speaker 2 (01:14):
Thanks John for the latest crime and justice needs.

Speaker 1 (01:16):
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Speaker 2 (01:17):
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Speaker 1 (01:31):
John Limley at this hour and American identified only as
Martin D, has been indicted in Germany on espionage charges.
He's accused of offering US military secrets to Chinese authorities.
Martin D, who formerly worked as a civilian contractor for
the US Defense Department and was stationed at a US

(01:52):
military facility in Germany, allegedly initiated contact with Chinese agents
in the summer of twenty twenty four or to offer
classified information. Fortunately, or perhaps due to ineffective follow through,
no data appears to have been transferred before his arrest
in Frankfort last November. The case now rests before a

(02:13):
state court in Koblenz, which will determine whether to proceed
to trial. Wyoming authorities are investigating a second fatal shooting
involving an fe Warren Air Force Base airman in Cheyenne.
Twenty year old Airman first Class Jaden Or has been
charged with involuntary manslaughter after allegedly firing an AK forty

(02:36):
seven through a wall during a night of drinking, killing
a twenty three year old man. The victim died at
the scene or remains in custody. This follows a similar
shooting only a month earlier, which resulted in additional involuntary
manslaughter charges. That incident prompted the Air Force to suspend
the use of the sigsur M eighteen handgun over safety concerns.

(03:00):
Or's case, however, is being handled by civilian prosecutors separate
from the ongoing military investigation. Finally, prosecutors in Utah have
announced plans have announced plans to seek the death penalty
in the case of Ryan Michael Bate, accused of killing
two police officers during a domestic disturbance. The officers, Sergeant

(03:22):
Lee Sorensen and Officer Eric Estrada, were fatally shot by Bate,
who reportedly fired from inside his home after his wife
had contacted nine one one regarding threats and abuse. During
the incident, a deputy and his canine were also injured
before Bait was convinced by bystanders to surrender. Authorities have

(03:43):
charged Bait with two counts of capital murder among twenty
total charges. Governor Spencer Cox's voice support for pursuing the
death penalty In New York, the life of forty six
year old security guard Alan Etienne was honored in Brooklyn
by hundreds of mourners. Etien, originally from Haiti, was killed

(04:04):
while shielding others during a July twenty eighth shooting at
a Manhattan office tower. The attack left four people dead,
including Etienne, a veteran NYPD officer, an investment executive, and
a real estate employee. A fifth person was wounded before
the gunman took his own life. Friends, family, and co

(04:24):
workers say Etienne was a devoted father and grandfather who
always put others first. His union is calling for greater
recognition of private security personnel, noting that many like Etienne
are immigrants working long hours in dangerous conditions. He is
remembered as a man who not only guarded a building,

(04:45):
but who, in his final moments, protected the lives of others.

Speaker 2 (04:49):
Thanks John for the latest crime and justice needs. Go
to crime online dot com and please join us for
our daily podcast, Crime Stories, where we do our best
f fine missing people, especially children, and solve unsolved homicides.
With this crime alert, I'm Nancy Grace