BLAINE, Minn. — A youth gymnastics coach is charged with criminal sexual conduct after police claim he exposed and rubbed his genitals in front of children at a park in Blaine.
Prosecutors detail the charges against 26-year-old Kyle Anthony Pekula in a criminal complaint filed in Anoka County District Court this week.
Blaine police officers were dispatched to Carrara West Park at 1495 132nd Ave. NE just before 5 p.m. on Sept. 20 on reports of a man exposing himself. The mother of a 12-year-old boy told police that a man - later identified as Kyle Pekula - walked up to a picnic table where a number of children were, sat down and began talking to them.
During the conversation, the boy told police Pekula took his genitals out of his shorts and began rubbing himself with a Cheeto and then placed the food on the table.
At one point, the witness said, Pekula invited the children to attend his gymnastics class if they got permission from their parents, and proceeded to walk towards Jam Hops Gymnastics studio. Police went to the studio and met with Pekula, who matched the witness description.
The criminal complaint says Pekula admitted to being at the park and talking with children but denied exposing himself. Police then collected his clothing and found orange coloring like the kind used on Cheetos inside the defendant's boxer shorts, the complaint stated.
Brenda Nolby, President of Jam Hops Gymnastics Studio, sent a message home to families informing them of Pekula's arrest, and saying the coach had been fired and barred from entering the facility or making contact with students.
"This incident is deeply troubling. We know this has shaken trust and created concerns among parents and the community, and we are heartbroken this happened. Jam Hops was founded on a passion not only for gymnastics and dance, but also for inspiring kids to be life champions," the statement read.
Nolby said Jam Hops is cooperating with Blaine police on the investigation and has reported the incident to SafeSport, the safety governing body that oversees gymnastics. She also told parents that Pekula was subject to a background check, which the studio does every two years.
Fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct is a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in prison and a $3,000 fine.
