Olympic Gold Medalist Charged with Child Sex Abuse in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A sledding gold medalist at the 2002 Winter Olympics has been charged with sexual abuse of a child in Utah.

Get our free mobile app

Court documents show James “Jimmy” Shea made his first court appearance Monday.

Shea’s attorney, Rudy Bautista, said Tuesday that the charges are a result of a family dispute and a misunderstanding about what his client contends was loving and affectionate touching.

Bautista says the 52-year-old Shea plans to plead not guilty.

The Associated Press isn’t identifying the relationship of the alleged victim to Shea to protect the child’s identity.