Ex-USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar pleads guilty to child porn charges

Former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar pleaded guilty Tuesday to three federal child-pornography charges, part of a deal with prosecutors that could see him avoid charges regarding alleged sexual assault of minors while overseas.

In a federal court in Grand Rapids, Mich., Nassar acknowledged downloading photos and videos of child pornography, and also paying to have his laptop computer erased in an attempt to obstruct justice.

Prosecutors are asking U.S. District Judge Janet Neff to sentence Nassar, 53, to a prison term of 22 to 27 years, though the judge is not required to accept that recommendation.

Due to his guilty plea, the government agreed not to pursue charges against Nassar for alleged sex crimes he committed while out of the country at the Olympics and separate allegations regarding actions in 2015 with two minors in his swimming pool.

The former Michigan State University doctor would be required to register as a sex offender and pay restitution to the alleged victims. However, he wouldn't be required to admit guilt in those cases, his attorneys said, according to ESPN.com.

In a statement, the acting U.S. attorney for Michigan's Western District, Andrew Birge, said, "Victims and the public can be assured that a day of reckoning is indeed in Dr. Nassar's future. No one, no matter his station in life, is above the law. Those who exploit children will be found out and they will be held accountable."

Nassar remains charged in Michigan with 22 other state counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, but the plea deal regarding federal charges didn't sit well with many of his alleged victims.

Attorney John Manly, who is working with more than 90 women on civil lawsuits against Nassar, told ESPN, "Dr. Nassar molested young women at the Olympics. He molested young women at national competitions. And our country is not going to charge him? The message that sends these women is: 'You don't matter.'"

In a statement, the Justice Department wrote, "The plea agreement does not preclude the government from pursuing additional charges against Nassar related to his conduct with other individuals."