USA Gymnastics Doctor Nassar Sentenced In Sex Abuse Of Girls

LANSING, MI – Dr. Larry Nassar, the USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University sports medicine doctor accused of molesting more than 150 young women girls in his care, on Wednesday was sentenced up to an additional 175 years behind bars.

"I just signed your death warrant," said Ingham County Circuit Judge Rosemarie Aquilina as she sentenced Nassar. "It is my honor and privilege to sentence you. You do not deserve to walk outside a prison ever again. You have done nothing to control those urges and anywhere you walk, destruction will occur to those most vulnerable."

Before handing down her sentence of 40 to 175 years on Wednesday, Aquilina said he did not perform medical treatments. "You did this for your pleasure and your control...I wouldn’t send my dogs to you."

Prior to Aquilina's sentence, Nassar apologized to the victims, saying, their testimony during his sentencing hearing had "shaken" him to his core.

"There are no words for how sorry I am," Nassar said. "I will carry your words with me for the rest of my days."

Aquilina, however, dismissed his apology. "You can't give them back their innocence."

Prosecutors had asked Aquilina to sentence Nassar to a minimum of 40 years, calling him a “master manipulator,” who gave his victims gifts and desserts to win their trust. During the hearing Wednesday, Prosecutor Angela Povilaitis said that Nassar not only robbed the young women and girls of their innocence, he also robbed them of their good health.

"This defendant lied, stole and cheated," Povilaitis said. She also thanked the women who testified during the sentencing hearing. "We believe you and always have ... You are our heroes."

Nassar in November pleaded guilty to molesting girls and women with his hands at his Michigan State University office, his home and a Lansing-area gymnastics club, often while their parents were in the room.

Earlier Wednesday, three more gymnasts testified in the sentencing hearing that has extended into seven days. Among those to testify on Wednesday was Rachael Denhollander, who in 2016 was the first woman to publicly accuse Nassar of sexual misconduct and inappropriate touching during his exams.

During her testimony, she asked for the maximum sentence be given to Nassar. "How much is a little girl worth? How much is a woman worth?" she told the judge. She called Nassar the "most dangerous type of abuser."

She also put blame on Michigan State University officials, including President Lou Anna Simons, and coaches and trainers at USA Gymnastics and Michigan for not acting on complaints from her and other gymnasts.

While the allegations of the sexual assaults date back to 1997, it was Denhollander's accusations that led to a proper investigation into Nassar and his eventual conviction last November, when he pleaded guilty to molesting girls and women with his hands at his Michigan State University office, his home and a Lansing-area gymnastics club, often while their parents were in the room.

Denhollander said she went public with her complaints "because it was right. No matter the cost, it was right. ... Larry, what you did was evil and wicked."

In response to Denhollander's testimony, Aquilina said that it was Denhollander who started the "tidal wave" that led to the conviction of Nassar. "Your words have grace and great hope for a better future in the world for all women and for all surviviors," Aquilina said.

During seven days of testimony, dozens other young women testified during their victim impacts statements that they made complaints to police, trainers and coaches, but most testified that their claims fell on deaf ears. And, many of the victims shed their anonymity to publicly berate Nassar for taking advantage of their innocence while they pursued dreams of becoming Olympic gymnasts, bravely confronted their molester.

"I'd been told during my entire gymnastics career to not question authority," said Isabell Hutchins, a former elite gymnast, during her testimony on Tuesday.

The line of victims to testify included Olympians Aly Raisman, Jordyn Wieber and McKayla Maroney.

Nassar, 54, has already been sentenced to 60 years in federal prison for child pornography crimes. Prosecutors in this case want Aquilina to sentence him to at least 40 years.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

File photo by the Associated Press