Former J.E.T.S gymnastics coach convicted of sexual assault in Illinois

(ABC 6 News) – A former J.E.T.S gymnastics coach in Rochester has been convicted of criminal sexual assault in another state.

Leonard Johnson was found guilty by a jury on four counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child in an Adams County, Illinois court last week.

According to the Adams County Assistant Attorney, Johnson was living in Rochester in 2019 and 2020.

Charging documents say he sexually assaulted two minors in may of 2020 in a hotel in Quincy, Illinois.

The victims were not gymnasts.

Jets gymnastics confirmed with ABC 6 News, he left the gym earlier that year in January.

They released the following statement:

“It has recently been brought to our attention that former J.E.T.S. Gymnastics employee Leonard Johnson has been convicted of sexually assaulting two underage members of his family in the State of Illinois. Johnson was not employed at J.E.T.S. during the time of these transgressions, and was living in the State of Missouri when they occurred.

This information is incredibly appalling and disheartening to all of us within the J.E.T.S. family. Our foremost thoughts are with the victims and hope they receive the necessary care and support to successfully begin a healing and recovery process.

During his employment at J.E.T.S. Johnson was in good standing with the governing body of USA Gymnastics and passed multiple background checks. No formal accusations or complaints were filled with USA Gymnastics, local authorities or J.E.T.S. during his employment.

In addition to following all USA Gymnastics Safe Sport policies and regulations, J.E.T.S. has always enforced our own additional procedures to ensure the well being of our athletes. J.E.T.S. has always considered the safety and protection of our athletes our highest priority and will continue to do so moving forward. We are thankful to hear that Johnson’s conviction will lead to him spending the remainder of his life in prison.“

J.E.T.S also says during his employment there, Johnson passed multiple background checks and no complaints were filed against him.

Johnson will be sentenced on March 13, 2023. Because Mr. Johnson has been convicted of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault involving multiple victims, he must be sentenced to a term of natural life in the Illinois Department of Corrections.