Feds: Nassar had computer files destroyed

GRAND RAPIDS - Federal prosecutors added a child pornography-related charge on Tuesday against former Michigan State University doctor Larry Nassar.

Nassar, 53, of Holt, was indicted in December on two federal child pornography charges for possessing and attempting to obtain child pornography. A third charge was added Tuesday in a superseding indictment that alleges Nassar had images or files destroyed.

Matt Newburg, Nassar's attorney, declined to comment.

Between Sept. 19 and Sept. 20, Nassar "caused a third-party vendor to permanently delete and destroy all images, records, documents, and files contained on the hard drive of a laptop computer, and the defendant threw in the trash a number of external hard drives," according to the indictment.

"At the time the defendant took these actions, he contemplated an investigation into, among other things, his possession of child pornography, his receipt and attempted receipt of child pornography, and his sexual exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of children."

During the execution of a search warrant in September, a police officer looked in a trash bin near the curb in front of Nassar's home and found several external hard drives, an FBI agent testified in December.

Should MSU be leading Nassar investigation?

The agent added that Nassar had more than 37,000 images or video of child pornography on computers or hard drives taken from his Holt property through a search warrant. The agent also testified that Nassar's work laptop had been wiped clean before he gave it to MSU after the university fired him in September, and that Nassar had videos that show him sexually assaulting girls under the age of 12.

Nassar worked for MSU as a doctor and team physician for nearly 20 years and as a team physician for USA Gymnastics for nearly 30 years.

Since September, more than 60 women or girls have made sexual assault allegations against Nassar to law enforcement. More than 30 women and girls have filed lawsuits against MSU, Nassar and USA Gymnastics saying that Nassar sexually assaulted them during medical appointments.

Many of the allegations date back decades, but some are as recent as 2016.

No criminal charges have been brought in connection with Nassar's role as an MSU doctor, but in Ingham County, Nassar is charged with three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person younger than 13. He faces up to life in prison if convicted.

Continuing coverage of Larry Nassar

ContactMatt Mencarini at (517) 267-1347 or mmencarini@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter@MattMencarini.