The head of an Indianapolis gymnastics academy arrested last month on charges of child pornography and molestation was found dead in his cell of apparent suicide, the Associated Press reports.

A spokeswoman for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Katie Carlson, said Marvin Sharp, 49, died on Saturday night. Foul play isn’t suspected.

Sharp, who, according to the AP, coached two members of the 2008 U.S. women’s Olympic team and was named the USA Gymnastics Coach of the Year in 2010, faced four counts of child molestation, three counts of sexual misconduct with a minor, and federal charges of having knowingly received and possessed child pornography.

The investigation into Sharp began with complaints over photo shoots he conducted with children, the Indianapolis Star reports. He was arrested after accusations that he had fondled one of his 14-year-old students were revealed.

Even as it celebrated the 17th annual National Gymnastics Day, USA Gymnastics released a statement in response to Sharp’s apparent suicide: “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.”


Image via NBC News/Getty. Contact the author of this post: brendan.oconnor@gawker.com.