WI Gymnastics Coach Abused Teen, Created Child Porn From It: Feds

ST. PAUL, MN — A Superior, Wisconsin man was sentenced to 25 years in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release for producing images depicting his sexual abuse of a minor, U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger announced Wednesday.

George Francis Deppa, 50, sexually abused a 15-year-old minor and produced visual depictions of the sexual abuse, according to authorities.

Deppa was federally charged in May of 2022 and pleaded guilty on June 28, 2023, to one count of production of child pornography.

Under the federal plea agreement, Deppa also agreed to plea guilty in additional state felony charges involving sexual assaults against at least five other minors in St. Louis County and Douglas County.

Deppa's sentence, handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Kate M. Menendez, cited aggravating factors such as a pattern of isolating and drugging his victims.

Deppa coached for Twin Ports Gymnastics, according to the Duluth News Tribune. He reportedly did not dispute that he gave a girl — age 13 or 14 — the sleep drug Ambien and that she woke up to realize he was touching her genital area with his hand.

Authorities believe there may be additional victims in this case. Anyone with information is urged to call the FBI Minneapolis Division at (218) 722-3341.