Former Coach at Prominent U.S. Gymnastics Academy Arrested by FBI Following Longstanding Abuse Allegations | Crime Alert 6AM 12.16.25

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 Support. 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 news, go
to Crime Online Dot com and please join us for
our daily podcast crime Stories, more crime and justice news
after this now with the latest crime and justice breaking
news crime Online. John Limley at.

Speaker 1 (01:32):
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 military facility in Germany,

(01:54):
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 state court and Koblenz,

(02:15):
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 seven through a wall

(02:37):
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. Or's case, however, is

(03:01):
being handled by civilian prosecutors separate from the ongoing military investigation. Finally,
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. The officers,
Sergeant Lee Sorenson and Officer Eric Estrada, were fatally shot

(03:25):
by Bait, 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 charged Bait with two counts of capital murder among

(03:45):
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. Etienne, originally from Haiti, was
killed while shielding others during a July twenty eighth shooting

(04:06):
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
workers say Etienne was a devoted father and grandfather who

(04:27):
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,
but who in his final moments, protected the lives of others.

Speaker 2 (04:48):
Thanks John for the latest crime and justice news. Go
to crime online dot com and please join us for
our daily podcast, Crime Stories, where we do our best
to find missing people, victually children, and solve unsolved homicides.
With this crime alert, I'm Nancy Grace

Speaker 1 (05:10):
M