Former USA Gymnastics president Steve Penny was arrested Wednesday after a fugitive task force was able to locate him at a cabin in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
“Deputy U.S. Marshals and task force officers from the Southern District of Texas and the Eastern District Tennessee worked tirelessly to locate Penny,” U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Tennessee David Jolley stated in a press release. “Good police work ensured that Penny was swiftly and safely apprehended. He will now face the charges against him.”
Those charges were handed down by a Texas grand jury during an indictment proceeding and including a felony charge that alleges the ex-USA Gymnastics head tampered with evidence related to the Larry Nassar scandal.
The grand jury returned the felony charges against Penny in late September, leading to the investigation into his whereabouts.
The indictment alleges Penny ordered the removal of documents from a USA Gymnastics facility detailing Nassar’s activities there. According to the indictment, Penny acted after learning that Texas Rangers and other authorities were investigating the facility.
Penny took possession of the documents at the USA Gymnastics headquarters in Indianapolis and they have not been recovered.
“On September 28, 2018, a Walker County Grand Jury convened to continue their ongoing investigation of the Karolyi Ranch and those individuals who may have committed offenses related to the conduct of Dr. Larry Nassar at that location,” according to a press release from state prosecutors. “On that same day, the Grand Jury returned an indictment on Penny for Tampering with Evidence, a third-degree felony.”
Penny, who resigned in March of 2017, is now awaiting extradition to Texas and is facing two to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Whether you’re looking to get into shape, or just get out of a funk, The Charge has got you covered. Sign up for our new wellness newsletter today.
