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USA gymnastics doctor and former employee of Michigan State University (MSU), Larry Nassar, has been sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison for seven counts of felony criminal sexual conduct in Ingham County Circuit Court.
Nassar received his sentence from Judge Rosemarie Aquilina today after being accused of sexually assaulting more than 100 girls.
He pled guilty to sexually assaulting seven girls, but the judge allowed all his accusers to speak in court.
The decision came down after Nassar read a written apology.
Previously in the trial, Nassar had written a six-page letter to Judge Aquilina telling her how hard it was to listen to the victims' accounts.
The judge's filmed response shows her casting aside the letter, showing little to no remorse for Nassar.
Judge Rosemarie Aquilina tosses aside Larry Nassar's letter and creates a GIF for the ages https://t.co/hkAgXgrC4f pic.twitter.com/y0aqv3p8pc
— Lansing State Journal (@LSJNews) January 24, 2018
Nassar's career spans 25 years, giving him access to children and youth athletes from more than a dozen different sports.
Some of the victims were on the U.S. Olympics team, others attended MSU and one was a six-year-old girl whose parents were family friends with Nassar, Kyle Stephens.
In 2016, Rachel Denhollander was the first to publicly come forward and say that Nassar had abused her when she was 15 years old.
Praised by the judge for her bravery and courage in coming forward, she read her statement saying, "The truth about Larry must be realized in order for justice to be realized."
Denhollander said Nassar had "meticulously groomed" and "exploited" her, adding that he enjoyed it. She referred to the acts as both "degrading and humiliating."
Rachael Denhollander Gives Final Impact Statement in Nassar Hearing#LarryNassar #USAGymnastics #MSU https://t.co/u4gcnQqO4T
— Law & Crime Network (@LawCrimeNetwork) January 24, 2018
Over the course of the trial, each victim had the opportunity to share their account and many were supported by a parent or spouse.
During one account, the coach stepped forward, expressing his remorse for referring numerous athletes into the care of Nassar.
Parents struggled with the reality of not realizing it had been happening in front of them - often in same room.
Four-time Olympic champion, Simone Biles, responded to the sentencing today, praising Judge Aquilina for decision.
To Judge Aquilina : THANK YOU, YOU ARE MY HERO
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) January 24, 2018
&
Shout out to all of the survivors for being so brave & speaking like the queens that you are while looking at that monster. He will no longer have the power to steal our happiness or joy. I stand with every one of you 💛 pic.twitter.com/b5SMmjZgeW
Biles gave her testimony last week about the abuse she experienced as an Olympic gymnast.
After today's sentencing, MSU spokesperson, Jason Cody, provided the following statement on behalf of the university:
The investigation into Nassar began on Aug. 29, 2016 after MSU Police received a report of an alleged sexual assault.
By Sept. 20, 2016, MSU fired Nassar. Nassar was first convicted on Nov. 22, 2017 of seven felony counts of criminal sexual conduct in Ingham County Circuit Court.
Not long after, on Nov. 29, he was convicted in Eaton County on three counts of criminal sexual conduct. On Dec. 7, he was sentenced to 60 years in prison on federal child pornography charges by the U.S. Attorney for the Wester District of Michigan.
Judge Aquilina gave the 175-year sentence today.
After the sentencing, Kerry Perry, CEO and president of USA Gymnastics released a statement, acknowledging the more than 150 women who shared their experiences.
"I am profoundly saddened that a single woman, a single girl, a single athlete was hurt. USA Gymnastics applauds Judge Rosemarie Aquilina for handing Nassar the maximum sentence of up to 175 years, in an effort to bring justice to those he abused and punish him for his horrific behaviour.
"The powerful voices and strength of these survivors have left a lasting impression on all of us. Every day, their stories will impact my decisions as president and CEO."
USA Gymnastics statement regarding Nassar sentence: https://t.co/2ZtS154ruB
— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) January 24, 2018
Last week USA Gymnastics announced it had terminated its agreement with Karolyi Ranch in Huntsville, Texas. It was the USA Gymnastics National Team Training Center, and the location for many of Nassar's sexual assault incidents, according to former gymnasts.
RAINN, a national anti-sexual violence organization, also provided a statement on the Nassar case today.
The women who spoke their truth in the #Nassar case showed admirable courage and strength. We applaud them and the court's decision, which brings us one step closer to a system in which more victims will choose to report sexual abuse.
— RAINN (@RAINN01) January 24, 2018
At the end of the trial, Judge Aquilina told the victims who spoke, "You are no longer victims, you are survivors."
She then told Nassar, "It was my honor and privilege to sentence you because, sir, you don't deserve to walk out of prison ever again."
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