A Gresham gymnastics coach accused of sexually abusing a child is asking a judge to let him out of custody before his scheduled bail hearing, arguing he isn’t a danger to the community. The request lands as youth sports programs keep getting reminded—often the hard way—that “trusted adult” doesn’t equal “safe adult.”
- Who: Eric Stinson, a gymnastics coach in Gresham, Oregon
- What: Arrested and facing sex abuse charges; now seeking release before a bail hearing
- Where: Multnomah County (Gresham area), Oregon
- When: The release request was reported ahead of a scheduled bail hearing (date not specified in KATU’s report)
- Key claim by defense: Stinson’s attorneys say he is not a threat and should be released pending the court’s bail review, according to KATU
- What’s next: A judge will determine conditions of release (or continued custody) at the upcoming bail hearing
KATU reports that Stinson’s legal team is pushing for his release before that hearing, framing the request around risk—specifically, whether he poses a danger to others or is likely to flee. Prosecutors, court officials, and judges typically weigh those factors when deciding custody status and bail conditions, especially in cases involving alleged harm to a child.
For youth sports families, the immediate takeaway isn’t legal jargon—it’s operational reality. When a coach is accused of abuse, leagues and gyms can get hit with a triple-whammy: parents demanding answers, staff scrambling to cover practices, and administrators trying to follow reporting rules while not stepping on an active investigation. The court process can move slowly, but the community impact is instant.
This case also underscores why many programs lean on formal safeguarding frameworks—background checks, two-adult policies, and clear reporting pathways—because the “we’ve known him forever” defense doesn’t hold up in a courtroom or a crisis. Nationally, the U.S. Center for SafeSport governs misconduct reporting and education for Olympic and Paralympic sports, including gymnastics, and many local clubs adopt similar policies even outside that system.
Stinson’s custody status will be decided through the court’s bail process. In the meantime, parents and gym owners in the area are left doing what youth sports communities always do during a storm: refresh the news, check the group chats, and figure out what practice looks like tomorrow.
Source: KATU