Downers Grove Gymnastics Coach Arrested On Child Pornography Charges

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — A man who coached gymnastics in Downers Grove for children between the ages of two and 17 has been charged with multiple felony counts of possession of child pornography and additional crimes against children.

Wyatt Kopka, 30, of the 5700 block of Concord Lane, Clarendon Hills, was taken into custody May 10 following an online investigation by the DuPage County Sheriff's Office into allegations that he possessed and distributed child pornography. During a May 4 search of Kopka's home, electronics were seized that were later forensically analyzed and found to contain child pornography files, police say.

On Tuesday, Kopka was charged with five counts of possession of child pornography and seven additional felonies, including the manufacture and production of child pornography. If convicted, he faces up to 120 years in prison.

In a statement, DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick praised the work of his office's Digital Forensic Unit and Detective Jeff Godfrey. Mendrick said, "These are very heinous and sensitive cases, when the suspect is a person of trust or influence, that require a certain finesse as the allegations likely affect entire families and communities."

“I commend Sheriff Mendrick and his Digital Forensic Investigation Unit for their truly
outstanding efforts on this case which resulted in the filling of additional charges against the
defendant,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in a news release.

Berlin added, “Child pornography is not a victimless crime and each of these additional allegations represents an additional previously unknown victim for which Mr. Kopka will now face charges.”

Kopka is set to be arraigned June 9. He is currently being held in DuPage County Jail on $600,000 bond.

Prior to his arrest, Kopka had been employed at Elite Sports Complex in Downers Grove. The sports complex shared the following statement with Patch Thursday:

"Elite Sports Complex is shocked and devastated over the arrest and very troubling and serious criminal charges filed against a former employee, Wyatt Kopka. DuPage County investigators have assured us that they have found no evidence that any criminal or improper physical offense took place at our gym. However, they are investigating whether Kopka engaged in inappropriate or possible criminal communication with several of our gymnastics students away from our facility. There are no words to describe our great concern for our students and their families and our deep sense of betrayal.

Elite’s focus has always been on the well-being and safety of our participants and their families. All of our coaches, including former employee Wyatt Kopka, undergo routine background checks and safety training. In Kopka’s case, we followed AAU guidelines for coaches and did background checks every year. The most recent one was done in 2021 and nothing negative came up.

This is a very difficult and unsettling time for our gym community. Elite will continue to assist the authorities with their ongoing investigation."

The DuPage County Sheriff's Office is urging anyone who would like to report an incident or information related to this investigation to call 630-407-2312 to speak with the Digital Forensics Unit.