Ex-USA Gymnastics Doctor Larry Nassar Stabbed 10 Times in Prison for Decades of Sexual Abuse
Larry Nassar, the disgraced former USA Gymnastics doctor who was convicted of sexually abusing numerous young athletes, has been attacked and stabbed inside a federal prison in Florida. Two sources familiar with the incident confirmed that Nassar sustained a total of ten stab wounds, including two to the neck, two to the back, and six to the chest. The quick response of correction officers present at the scene is credited with saving Nassar’s life, and he is currently in stable condition.
Nassar had been serving a 60-year sentence for federal child pornography charges when the assault took place. The attack occurred on Sunday, July 9, 2023, at the United States Penitentiary (USP) Coleman II in Sumterville, Florida. Immediate life-saving measures were initiated by responding staff, and emergency medical services were summoned to provide further assistance.
The Bureau of Prisons has stated that an internal investigation into the incident is underway. Nassar, as confirmed by a reliable source, was transported to a hospital for treatment following the assault. Specific details regarding the attack have not been released by authorities.
Apart from his federal prison sentence, Nassar had previously been sentenced to up to 175 years in a Michigan state court after over 150 women and girls testified against him, accusing him of sexual abuse spanning two decades. In court, Nassar admitted to using his position as a trusted medical professional to assault and molest victims under the pretense of medical treatment.
During victim impact statements, 156 women recounted their harrowing experiences of seeking treatment for sports injuries from Nassar, only to be subjected to sexual assault and deceived into believing it was part of their treatment. Many victims expressed frustration at being ignored or dismissed when they attempted to report the abuse to authorities and various organizations, including USA Gymnastics, Michigan State University (where Nassar served as the gymnastics team doctor), and the US Olympic Committee.
In 2021, a settlement of $380 million was reached between Nassar’s victims, USA Gymnastics, the US Olympic Committee, and their insurers. This significant settlement was part of USA Gymnastics’ plan to emerge from bankruptcy and address the aftermath of the Nassar scandal, as the organization has been grappling with the consequences and striving to regain trust.
The Associated Press was the first to report on the prison assault incident.
