Dubbed “the most prolific child molester in history,” Larry Nassar was sentenced to a lifetime in prison on Wednesday.
The former Team USA gymnastics doctor, Nassar has been accused of sexual misconduct and abuse by countless women, including such famous ex-clients as Simone Biles and Aly Raisman.
Altogether, approximately 140 victims have come forward with similar stories about Nassar.
Many of them read open letters in court over the past several days about the predator, detailing how Nassar would touch them inappropriately during medical exams.
They described the heinous ways in which he abused them and manipulated them over the years, claiming as he did so that he was simply servicing them as a medical professional and trying out new techniques for healing.
It’s truly despicable stuff.
After days of hearing these emotional impact statements, Judge Rosemarie Aquilina of Michigan’s Ingham County Circuit Court sentenced the 54-year-old deviant to the lengthy sentence, castigating him in court as follows:
“Your crimes have cut into the core of this community and families and many we don’t know.
“There was no medical treatment.
“You did this for your pleasure and your control. You still think that somehow you are right … I wouldn’t send my dogs to you, sir.”
“It was my honor and privilege to sentence you,” Aquilina added later, stating that she wants him to remain behind bars for the rest of his life.
“I just signed your death warrant.”
Nassar pleaded guilty in November to numerous counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Other victims you may have heard of include Olympic champions and medal winners McKayla Maroney and Gabby Douglas.
“We know without a doubt after these seven days – what we and this team have known for 16 months – [Nassar] is perhaps the most prolific child molester in history … who spared no one,” Assistant District Attorney Angela Povilaitis said in court this morning.
She continued:
“The defendant hid behind Olympic rings. Every previous time there had been an allegation, nothing happened. His lies worked.
“This court [heard[ from several women some decades later who were initially determined to be confused or to be liars. He was believed over these children.”
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 and adding:
“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.”
However, he also submitted a letter to the judge that was read aloud today.
It included the sentence “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” and the claim that these “stories are being fabricated to sensationalize this…”
The crowd in the courtroom audibly gasped as the judge read Nassar’s letter to the public.
Nassar was fired by USA Gymnastics in 2015 after working with the organization since 1986.
He had been serving as its national medical coordinator since 1996.
Last Friday, Raisman made national headlines and earned global acclaim and respect for addressing her abuser face-to-face in court.
“We, this group of women you so heartlessly abused over such a long period of time, are now a force, and you are nothing,” she said.
“The tables have turned, Larry. We are here. We have our voices, and we are not going anywhere.”
Thankfully, though, Nassar is going somewhere.
He’s going to rot in prison forever.
