Ex-Team USA Olympics Gymnastics Coach Charged With Human Trafficking -- (UPDATE)

UPDATE — Former Olympics gymnastics coach John Geddert took his own life Thursday afternoon, hours after a judge issued a warrant charging him with human trafficking, racketeering and sexual assault. Michigan State Police said Geddert's body was found at a rest area along eastbound Interstate 96 in Clinton County, Michigan, about 3:24 p.m ET.

Below is the original story:

Former U.S. Olympics gymnastics coach John Geddert is being charged with two dozen felonies, including 20 counts of human trafficking, the state of Michigan announced.

“It is alleged that John Geddert used force, fraud and coercion against the young athletes that came to him for gymnastics training, for financial benefit to him,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said at a press conference Thursday.  

Geddert coached the U.S. Olympics team in 2012. He is reportedly allies with disgraced former team doctor Larry Nassar of Michigan State. Nassar was sentenced to more than 200 years in prison in 2017 after pleading guilty to seven counts of sexual assault of minors.

Per the Wall Street Journal: "Geddert has also been charged with leading a criminal enterprise and lying to police during a violent crime investigation. All of the charges are felonies carrying maximum sentences between 15 years and life in prison, except for the count of lying to the police officer, which can carry a four-year sentence, Michigan officials said. Only the count of lying to police relates directly to Nassar."

Geddert has owned and operated Twistars Gym in Lansing, Mich., for decades. He is credited with training Jordyn Wieber, the 2011 world champion and a member of the 2012 Olympic team, which won the gold medal. Nassar also trained athletes at Twistars Gym.

(Editor's note -- An earlier version of this story -- which did not reflect Geddert's taking of his own life -- was automatically tweeted out early Friday morning. That tweet has been removed.)