A South Florida gymnastics instructor is behind bars on charges of possessing and compiling child pornography, and authorities are concerned there may be other victims.
Hassan Jawad, 27, of Deerfield Beach, was arrested Thursday after a month-long investigation that a computer had been advertising or sharing images of child pornography since January, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office.
Detectives discovered videos or images of young boys engaged in sex acts with other boys or men, authorities said.
Jawad worked at Twister Gymnastics in Boca Raton at the time of his arrest. He previously worked at New England Academy of Gymnastics in Marlborough, Massachusetts, from 2015 to 2017.
Detectives do not have any evidence pointing to physical victims beyond the suspect's disturbing internet searches, but because of his position and access to children, authorities want to hear from any victims or anyone who believes they are victims.
"All the time that he's been here, we've never had, we've never had any indication, we've never had a parent complaint, we've never had a report of anything, I myself never suspected anything, none of the coaches ever suspected anything, so today has been really devastating and we're angry about it," said Sara Shugars, director of operations at Twister Gymnastics.
Anyone with further information about the suspect should contact Det. Jennifer Mongomery at 954-888-5239. Anonymous tips can go through Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477).
