U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Coach 'Marvin Sharp' Accused of Molestation Found Dead in Jail

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U.S. Coach Marvin Sharp Found Dead

American gymnastics coach Marvin Sharp was found dead in an apparent suicide in his jail cell on Saturday, less than a month after he was arrested and charged with child molestation and possession of child pornography. Sharp was 49.
Sharp was the personal coach of Bridget Sloan, the 2009 world all-around champion and a member of the U.S. silver medal-winning teams at the 2008 Olympics and 2010 World Championships. He also coached 2008 Olympian Samantha Peszek in 2009 after the retirement of her personal coach.



Sharp was named the 2010 USA Gymnastics Coach of the Year.

Sharp, who owned Sharp's Gymnastics in Indianapolis, was arrested Aug. 24 and charged two federal charges and seven state felony charges. An additional nine federal charges were filed on Sept. 14 based on digital photos stored in locked safes at Sharp's residence and at the gym. The federal affidavit for the additional charges indicated at least six victims, with the abuse dating to 2005.
He was being held without bail in Marion County Jail, where he was found dead after 8 p.m. Saturday evening, a spokesman for the Marion County Sheriff’s Department said. The cause of death was not released.
Marion County records show pre-trial proceedings were set to begin in late October.
USA Gymnastics released a statement, saying, "USA Gymnastics is aware of the untimely death of Marvin Sharp. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of all involved in this tragic set of circumstances."