Can You Believe Yet Another Gymnastics Coach is Charged With Sexual Assault?

There have been so many high profile sexual assault cases involving young girls in gymnastics that it's a bit mind blowing. Let me just mention Michigan State University, for starters.

Sadly, another case is hitting very close to home as a former Kent County gymnastics coach, now living in Florida, was arrested for multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct involving minors. Yes, right here in Kent County, a place where we're used to saying, "It couldn't happen here."

Fox 17 reported that the Kent County Sheriff’s Office says 49-year-old Shannon Guay was arrested in Charlotte County, Florida this Wednesday, May 10, 2023 on criminal sexual conduct charges stemming from three separate cases involving five victims while he was coaching gymnastics at the former Aerials & Baranis Gymnastics on Coit Avenue, NE.

It all began coming to light in March of this year when the gymnastics company was getting disturbing voicemails from an individual claiming past assaults at the business.

It seems that some of the victims had been sexually assaulted at the school around the years of 2006-2008. Guay eventually moved to Florida in 2010.

This is so heart breaking as he was an adult in whom the young girls trusted. He allegedly assaulted five victims, all minors at the time, at three different locations here in Kent County. The Kent County Sheriff's office also says there may be more victims as their investigation proceeds.

So, what is happening to Guay? Right now he is facing six counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and seven counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Here are some very important things for you to remember because we have many resources in Kent County that are willing to help. Some resources are the Grand Rapids YWCA or the Children’s Advocacy Center of Kent County. Reach out to the YWCA 24-Hour Confidential Helpline, 616.454.YWCA (616.454.9922) or the Children’s Advocacy Center of Kent Country at 616.336.5160.