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.

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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.

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Filed Under: 2002 winter olympics, ap news, Associated Press, gold medalist, Olympics, Salt Lake City, Sexual Abuse, Utah

Categories: Associated Press