Larry Nassar Sentenced to 40 to 175 Years in Sexual Abuse Case

Former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar has been sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison in his sexual abuse case.

The 54-year-old appeared in court in Lansing, Michigan, on Wednesday, January 24, for the seventh day of his criminal sentencing hearing. More than 150 victims delivered powerful impact statements in that time, detailing how Nassar abused and manipulated them over the years.

Prior to his sentencing, Nassar read brief prepared remarks. “Your words these past several days have had a significant emotional effect on myself,” he said, speaking to his victims. “I recognize that what I’m feeling pales in comparison to the pain, trauma and emotional destruction that all of you have felt. There are no words to describe the depth and breadth of how sorry I am for what has occurred. I will carry your words with me for the rest of my days.”

Nassar’s accusers, many of whom were children at the time of the abuse, said they trusted him to care for them and were afraid to speak up. The women included Olympic athletes Aly Raisman, McKayla Maroney and Jordyn Wieber.

“We, this group of women you so heartlessly abused over such a long period of time, are now a force, and you are nothing,” Raisman, now 23, said in court on Friday, January 19, speaking directly to Nassar. “The tables have turned, Larry. We are here. We have our voices, and we are not going anywhere.”

The former Michigan State University doctor complained last week to Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Rosemarie Aquilina that listening to his victims’ stories was detrimental to his health. The judge responded, “You may find it harsh that you are here listening. But nothing is as harsh as what your victims endured for thousands of hours at your hands.”

Nassar pleaded guilty to federal child pornography crimes in July 2017 and was sentenced to 60 years in prison. Separately, he pleaded guilty that November to molesting seven girls, three of whom were under the age of 13.

The disgraced doctor is scheduled to be sentenced next week on three additional assault convictions in Eaton County, Michigan.

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victorsmaize on January 24th, 2018 at 17:48 UTC »

This is on top of a previous 60 year sentence he received for child porn charges. He will never see the light of day again.

pipsdontsqueak on January 24th, 2018 at 17:47 UTC »

Clarification: Nassar is sentenced to a maximum of 175 years. The sentence is for 40 to 175 years. His minimum term under the plea deal was 25 to 40 years, but this sentence makes the minimum term for 40 years. This is a sentence in a state case on top of the 60 years he already has from the federal child pornography case. The federal and state sentences appear to be consecutive, so that means he is incarcerated for 100 years minimum, after which he can be further incarcerated under this sentence for 135 years. His time in prison can also be extended for crimes/infractions/wrongdoing in prison. Michigan abolished the death penalty for all crimes except treason in 1847.

Edit: Clarified the sentencing scheme.

Edit 2: It's worth throwing some attention at the excellent work done by the IndyStar investigation team that began this case and got us to today's sentence.

Series page: Out of Balance: An IndyStar investigation into USA Gymnastics

First article from August 4, 2016 : A blind eye to sex abuse: How USA Gymnastics failed to report cases

From The Guardian:

“It is my honor to sentence you because, sir, you do not deserve to walk outside of a prison ever again,” the judge said. “Anywhere you walk, destruction would occur to those most vulnerable.”

She added: “I just signed your death warrant.”

Aquilina said the sentence reflected not only the seven counts to which Nassar pled guilty, but also the survivors who came forward during the sentencing hearing “because the depth of all of your crimes have cut into the core of this community”.

“The breadth and ripple of this defendant’s abuse and destruction is infinite,” prosecuting attorney Angela Povilaitis said in her closing remarks. “Nassar used his prestige to gain [his victims’] trust and to exploit them, leaving many of the emotionally shattered by a man they not only trusted but loved. In competitive gymnastics, he found the perfect place for his master manipulation.”

The disgraced physician gave a brief statement before Aquilina handed down the sentence, acknowledging the “pain, trauma and emotional destruction” experienced by his victims.

“Your words these past several days have had a significant emotional effect on myself and have shaken me to my core,” he said. “I will carry your words with me for the rest of my days.”

“Sir, I hope that’s true,” the judge said after Nassar concluded.

Aquilina read portions of the six-page, single-spaced letter Nassar wrote to the judge last week in which he said it was too difficult for him to listen to the victim impact statements, citing it as proof that “you have still not owned what you did”.

“Would you like to withdraw your plea?” the judge asked.

“No, your honor,” he said.

“Because you’re guilty, aren’t you, sir?”

“I accept my plea.”

2totwo on January 24th, 2018 at 17:44 UTC »

Saville, Nassar, Sandusky.... amazing these people. You wonder if they don't choose their careers to optimize their isolated contact with children. I fear how many other monsters may still have their roles.....