Police say a local gymnastics coach has taken photographs of students while they were changing clothes without their consent or knowledge.
Police searched the home of 54 year-old Jeffery Bettman after being suspected of downloading child porn. That’s where they found out that he had worked as a local coach, teaching gymnastics at the Southern Oregon Gymnastics Academy.
Police say he took pictures while students were changing their clothes without their consent or knowledge. We spoke with owners of of the business who confirmed that Bettman did work there for approximately 3 years from 2005 until 2008. That’s when he was terminated. We asked owners why but they wouldn’t tell us. We’re also told that Bettman worked with children again at Ultimate Sports Gymnastics in Grants Pass and working as a professional photographer.
Tonight Bettman is being charged with three counts of first and second degree encouraging child sex abuse and ten counts of invasion of privacy.
Police are asking parents who may have had a professional session with Bettman to give them a call at (541) 423-1315.
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