Larry Nassar, a former Michigan State University doctor accused of assaulting gymnasts, is expected to plead guilty to charges of child pornography.
Nassar, who served as a team physician for USA Gymnastics, reportedly signed a plea agreement admitting to obtaining and possessing child porn as well as destroying and concealing records, The Detroit News reported.
The 53-year-old was arrested in December, and is accused of downloading and received thousands of images of child since 2003. This followed shortly after he was released on a $1 million bond following charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person younger than 13, reported USA Today.
More than 100 women and girls have come forward, saying they were sexually assaulted by Nassar, during medical examinations, USA Today noted.
Nassar was fired from his post at the university in September, having worked there for close to 20 years. Police discovered thousands of images on Nassar's property, including videos allegedly of Nassar sexually assaulting minors in a pool, the Detroit News noted. He reportedly threw away several hard drives, which police recovered.
The Lansing State Journal reported that Nassar had paid $49 to have all data permanently deleted from his work laptop.
"At the time the defendant took the actions described above, he was aware that law enforcement was investigating his activities and he feared this investigation would reveal that he had, among other things, received and possessed child pornography," court document says, according to the Detroit News. "He took the above actions with the intent to impede and obstruct this contemplated investigation."
Each charge Nassar is currently facing carries a five to 20 year prison sentence. A formal plea agreement has not yet been filed. Nassar is scheduled to appear in court again in August.
According to the plea agreement, Nassar agreed to register as a sex offender and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Michigan won’t prosecute him for alleged sexual exploitation of children, the Lansing State Journal said, adding that three state sexual assault cases against Nassar remain unresolved and are being prosecuted by the Michigan Attorney General's Office.