HUNTINGTON, WV (WOWK) – A former “Bozhi’s Gym Nest” gymnastics coach is banned from coaching through USA gymnastics or any other Olympic and Paralympic sport following allegations of sexual abuse and targeting minors, specifically gymnasts that he had coached at Bozhi’s.

55-year-old Lance Spencer was arrested on Wednesday and is facing 16 charges relating to sexual abuse as a custodian and as a person of trust to a child.

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Bozhi’s told 13 News in a statement that they parted ways with Spencer months ago. They are being represented by Russel Prince at Bryan and Prince Law firm out of Tampa, Florida. Prince told 13 News that he specializes in sports law and risk management and compliance training for coaches and sports clubs.

Prince said he was retained when Bozhi’s received notice of allegations of misconduct against Spencer.

Prince said that news of these allegations came as a shock to owners of Bozhi’s Gym Nest gymnastics, but he said Spencer deserves right of presumption of innocence unless otherwise proven.

“Sports are not immune to the things that happen in the world,” Prince said. “There are just bad people.”

These allegations were first made known to the independent investigative group U.S. Center for SafeSport. A spokesperson for the organization said they came to light in 2017 when a national case of sexual abuse within USA Gymnastics came to light, involving former USA Gymnastics national team doctor Larry Nassar. Nassar pled guilty in 2017 and 2018 to multiple charges of abusing Olympic and elite gymnasts according to CBS News .

The Department of Justice settled with more than 100 of Nassar’s victims three weeks ago, paying them $138.7 million after several of Nasser’s victims claimed the FBI did not pursue allegations when they were first reported.

Since then, SafeSport has created an online database where they share coaches who have been reported or banned due to misconduct and other allegations, including Spencer who was banned on October 12, 2023.

“We encourage anyone concerned with athlete safety to check the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s Centralized Disciplinary Database (CDD), a first-of-its-kind public resource listing those who have been restricted or banned from Olympic and Paralympic sport. The CDD is a unique and important tool for parents, employers, and those vetting volunteers for youth-serving organizations. Reports of abuse and misconduct in sport can be made on our website,” SafeSport said.

The FBI is partnering with the Cabell County Sheriff’s Office to investigate this case. The FBI said in a statement that their goal is to protect any victims who were allegedly abused by Spencer.

“There is no more important work in law enforcement at any level than protecting our nation’s youth. Among the top priorities for the FBI is ensuring the safety of our children and the most vulnerable members of our community,” the FBI said.

The FBI is encouraging anyone who is a victim or who is a loved one of a victim to immediately contact law enforcement.

Bozhi’s shared a statement with 13 News on Wednesday following Spencer’s arrest.

“We are unaffiliated with the former employee. We parted ways with him when allegations first surfaced from SafeSport. We are distancing ourselves from this and we have cooperated fully with SafeSport and the investigation,” the owners said.

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