Charlottesville, VA - Bodybuilding Coach Elliott Simon Atwell Facing Life in Prison for Child Exploitation

VA Bodybuilding Coach Arrested for Child Exploitation & Pornography

According to ABC 8 News, a Virginia bodybuilding coach is facing a potential life sentence after being charged with multiple counts of child exploitation.

Elliott Simon Atwell, 33, of Charlottesville, has been charged with four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, one count of enticement of a minor, and one count of possession of child pornography. The charges stem from allegations that Atwell coerced at least six minors to engage in sexually explicit acts between 2013 and 2020 and recorded and kept images of minors under 12 years of age engaged in these acts.

If convicted, Atwell could face a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, and the maximum possible sentence is life in prison. The FBI is continuing to investigate the case and is encouraging anyone who believes Atwell may have victimized them or someone they know to contact them at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Filing Lawsuits For Victims Sexually Abused By a Bodybuilding Coach

Attorney Kevin Biniazan, an experienced sexual abuse lawyer, often represents sports sexual abuse victims in civil lawsuits across the state of Virginia. Kevin recently sat down to discuss filing lawsuits if a bodybuilding coach sexually abused a child.

"As a sexual abuse attorney in Virginia, I am very familiar with the responsibility of a gym to ensure the safety of its members. A gym is responsible for ensuring that its coaches, instructors, and other personnel are properly trained to recognize and report any signs of abuse or neglect. Additionally, gyms should have policies in place to protect minors from any potential abuse, such as requiring background checks for all staff members and providing a safe environment for minors to exercise without fear of harassment or abuse.

Furthermore, victims of sexual abuse at a gym and their families have the right to seek justice. If a coach or other staff member has sexually abused a minor, the victim and their family have the right to pursue legal action against the gym and the perpetrator. Victims and their families can file a civil lawsuit against the perpetrator, the gym, and any other parties who may be liable for the abuse. This type of lawsuit can seek both monetary damages and non-monetary relief, such as an order to make sure the gym has proper policies in place to prevent future abuse. Victims should seek legal guidance from an experienced sexual abuse lawyer."

Sources:

ABC 8 News