Larry Nassar, a former U.S.A Gymnastics doctor, pleaded guilty today to using his position of authority to sexually assault girls and young women who came to see him for medical care, according to ESPN.
Nassar 54, repeated his plea of "guilty" for seven counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Each offense comes with a minimum of 25 to 40 years of prison time and a maximum of a life sentence.
As part of the plea deal, according to ESPN, more than 125 victims will have the opportunity to give victim-impact statements in court before the judge determines Nassar's sentence. The sentencing procedure is scheduled to begin January 12th.
"For all those involved, I'm so horribly sorry," Nassar said. "This is a match that turned into a forest fire, out of control. I pray the rosary every day for forgiveness. I want them to heal. ... I just want healing. It's time."
Larissa Boyce, who was part of a youth gymnastics program held at MSU, responded,
"It felt like a manipulation tactic that he was saying, 'I'm doing this for you guys. I'm doing this so you can start healing and the community can start healing.' It felt like part of his manipulation tactics. I think it's absolutely ridiculous on his part," she said.
According to ESPN, more than 140 women have since sued Nassar in civil lawsuits alleging that he abused them, mostly during appointments for medical treatment.
U.S. Olympians Jamie Dantzscher, McKayla Maroney, Gabby Douglas and Aly Raisman are among those who have come forward and publicly accused Nassar of sexual assault.
Additionally, Nassar pleaded guilty to federal child pornography charges back in July. According to ESPN, he possessed more than 37,000 illegal images that were discovered on a hard drive inside a curbside trash barrel when police searched his home more than a year ago. He'll be sentenced for those crimes on next month; the federal charges are expected to carry a minimum sentence of 27 years.
