Former Superior gymnastics coach sentenced for producing child sexual abuse images

U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger has announced a former Superior gymnastics coach has been sentenced to 25 years in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release for producing images depicting his sexual abuse of a minor.

According to court documents, George Francis Deppa, 50, sexually abused a 15-year-old minor and
produced visual depictions of the sexual abuse.

As per the United States Department of Justice:

Deppa was federally charged in May of 2022 and entered a guilty plea on June 28, 2023, to one count
of production of child pornography. Pursuant to the federal plea agreement, Deppa also agreed to enter
guilty pleas in additional state felony charges involving sexual assaults against at least five other minors
in St. Louis County and Douglas County. Deppa was sentenced today in U.S. District Court before
Judge Kate M. Menendez. Aggravating factors noted during his federal sentencing included a pattern
of isolating and, in some instances, drugging his victims.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Duluth Police Department, with
assistance from the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office and the Douglas County (Wisconsin) Attorney’s
Office. Based on the evidence obtained in this investigation, authorities believe there may be additional
victims of the alleged conduct. Anyone with information about this matter is encouraged to call the FBI
Minneapolis Division at (218) 722-3341.

Deppa had previously pled not guilty in 2021.