Gymnastics Coach Arrested On Child Sexual Abuse, Assault Charges
FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - A fugitive task force in Indiana on Thursday arrested a well-known Fort Worth gymnastics coach wanted on child sex abuse and aggravated sexual assault of a child charges.
Skipper Glenn Crawley, 51, was taken into custody at a home where he was staying in Indiana.
He was a gymnastics coach at Sokol Gymnastics up until April when a parent alleged abuse. The owner, according to the gym's attorney, immediately suspended him, made him leave the property, called police, and called USA gymnastics.
The organization sent CBS 11 News the following statement:
USA Gymnastics cannot comment publicly on membership matters unless an action taken involves a public result, such as being placed on the list of individuals whose membership is suspended or who is permanently ineligible for membership. The U.S. Center for SafeSport has the exclusive authority to handle sexual misconduct matters for the entire U.S. Olympic movement (including gymnastics). The membership of Skip "Skipper" Crawley was suspended at the direction of the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
An attorney representing the gym said they want the allegations fully investigated.
However, he also said there are some underlying facts, and while it's possible something could have happened, they don't believe that the allegations, at least how they're being presented, are entirely true.
Crawley is a former Texas high school state champion gymnast who has coached at the college level.
CBS 11 News learned the allegations against Crawley involve girls who are all under the age of 13. One accusation, according to his attorney, is that he kissed an 8-yr-old girl. Police said their charges include continuous sexual abuse of a child, and two counts of aggravated sexual abuse.
SafeSport, which investigates claims such as this for U.S.sporting organizations, suspended Crawley in May.
Crawley is still at the Hamilton County Jail in Noblesville, Indiana, pending extradition to Texas.
CBS 11 News spoke to Crawley's attorney, who says the allegations are not true and that it's retribution for discipling a gymnast.
"Skip Crawley is a really good guy. I am absolutely convinced he is innocent in this case," said attorney Adrian Crane.
Crane went on to say, "From what I understand, there's one young lady who started this allegation against him... she went out and tried to talk to other minor girls into making similar allegations."