OGDEN, Utah – A gymnastics coach accused of sexually abusing one of his students now faces numerous felony charges.
Kelly Christian Brown, 31, of Layton, was charged Thursday in 2nd District Court with object rape, a first-degree felony; three counts of forcible sexual abuse and two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, both second-degree felonies; and two counts of dealing in harmful materials to a minor, a third-degree felony.
Brown, who was a coach at North Davis Gymnastics in Layton until his was fired following his arrest on Tuesday, is accused of abusing a 15-year-old girl at the gym in 2018, according to charging documents.
He would “repeatedly” touch his victim inappropriately “while helping her stretch at gymnastics practice,” the charges state. Brown is also accused of sending explicit pictures to the girl, according to the charges.
Brown is also accused of illegal conduct with the girl during a private lesson, the charges state.
In a statement released Wednesday, North Davis Gymnastics owner Kimberly Daniels said coaches are not allowed to be alone with students and the gym was unaware of his activities.
“We unequivocally condemn the despicable conduct of which Mr. Brown is accused, and applaud the courage of the gymnast who brought it to light,” Daniels said.
Prosecutors also field a motion Thursday requesting that Brown be held in custody pending his trial. The motion notes that while Brown does not have any prior criminal history, he poses a substantial risk to the community and faces up to life in prison if convicted.