Key Takeaways
- Eric Stinson, the gymnastics director at Northwest Gymnastics Training Center in Oregon, faces serious charges of sexual abuse against minors after multiple reports.
- He was arrested on January 4, 2026, and charged with multiple felonies under Oregon law, including sexual abuse and sodomy.
- Gresham police believe there may be additional victims and encourage anyone with information to come forward.
- Youth-serving organizations like NGTC may face civil liability if they failed to protect children.
Allegations of sexual abuse often involve individuals who occupy positions of trust within their communities: roles that carry authority and repeated access to vulnerable people, including children. Coaches, educators, and other leaders in youth-serving environments are entrusted by families to provide mentoring, guidance, and supervision. When that trust is violated, the harm can be far-reaching and may expose serious failures in oversight and safeguards—issues that have come into focus in the case involving Eric Michael Stinson, Sr.
Details of the Arrest and Police Investigation
Eric Michael Stinson, 56, was arrested January 4, 2026, by Gresham Police, “on a warrant for sexual abuse, sodomy, and attempted sodomy.” Stinson is identified by authorities as the director of Northwest Gymnastics Training Center (NGTC) in Gresham, Oregon.
According to police, “His arrest comes after multiple former Northwest Gymnastics Training Center athletes reported experiencing inappropriate sexual behavior by Stinson.”
Law enforcement believes that there may be additional victims who have yet to come forward.
Criminal Charges Filed Against Eric Michael Stinson
Stinson was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center following his arrest.
He has been charged with several serious felonies under Oregon law, with prosecutors alleging conduct that occurred in 2012, 2013, and 2016. According to the indictment, Stinson is accused of sexually abusing a child “under the age of 14 on at least two occasions,” and another under the age of 12 in 2016.
The charges are as follows:
- Three counts of sexual abuse in the first degree
- One count of sodomy in the first degree
- One count of attempt to commit a Class A felony (in this case, attempted sodomy)
Stinson has pleaded not guilty to all charges and was released without bail under court-imposed conditions, including a requirement that he wear a GPS monitoring device.
According to KOIN, “As part of his release conditions, Stinson is prohibited from having any contact with minors or the alleged victims and is barred from entering places where children congregate — including the gymnastics training center where he worked closely with children for years.”
Police Say More Victims May Exist
Detective Adam Wright with the Gresham Police Department told KOIN, “‘Unfortunately, we are aware that these events took place over a number of years, and they’re directly related to Mr. Stinson’s occupation and his position of power and control over minor athletes…Our experience has taught us that in many of those cases, there may be other victims. So we are notifying the community.’”
Wright also emphasized that it is never too late to report sexual abuse, stating, “It’s critical that people come forward with their experiences.”
Anyone who was harmed by Stinson or has information about this case is urged to reach out to Detective Tim Taaca of the Gresham Police Department at Timothy.Taaca@GreshamOregon.gov.
Stinson’s Background
Before his role at NGTC, Stinson spent 10 years at Portland State University, where he was the Director of Golf and head coach of both the men’s and women’s golf teams.
Stinson worked directly with child athletes at NGTC, a facility that has operated since 2008.
Together, these roles placed Stinson in athletic settings for many years and provided him with repeated access to children and other athletes through positions of authority and trust.
Northwest Gymnastics Training Center’s Response
Public records indicate that Northwest Gymnastics Training Center was founded and is owned by Stinson’s wife, Tina Stinson. Eric Stinson Jr., is also employed at the facility, and another individual, Meagan Stinson, is listed as a coach.
The Northwest Gymnastics Training Center has provided no comment to the media. However, the center has publicly promoted itself as being “all about serious training and serious fun, offering expert instruction in a safe, encouraging atmosphere.”
The allegations involving Stinson are at odds with those assurances.
Youth-serving organizations are required to provide environments that prioritize children’s safety and well-being.
When serious allegations of sexual abuse in a youth sports organizations arise, consideration necessarily turns to whether the organization’s public commitments to safety were reflected in its day-to-day practices.
Failure to Report and Institutional Accountability
In cases involving youth organizations, civil investigations may examine who controlled day-to-day operations, who had authority over safety policies, and whether an ownership structure affected oversight, reporting, or accountability when concerns arose. Under Oregon law, certain adults—such as those who work directly with or supervise children—are mandatory reporters, and failure to report suspected child sexual abuse can itself constitute a crime.
Youth-serving organizations may face civil liability if they failed to take reasonable steps to protect children, including responding appropriately to warning signs and ensuring adequate safeguards, supervision, and reporting practices.
Civil cases are separate from criminal prosecutions and focus on accountability, harm prevention, and justice for survivors.
Support for Survivors
Survivors of sexual abuse often experience lasting physical, emotional, and psychological harm. Coming forward about abuse can be an incredibly difficult decision, but for many survivors, it can also be an important step toward healing and reclaiming a sense of control.
If you or someone you love was harmed by Eric Michael Stinson Sr. anyone at Northwest Gymnastics Training Center, or a coach or someone you trusted, confidential legal help may be available.
Andreozzi + Foote holds institutions accountable when they fail to protect those in their care, representing survivors nationwide. Civil sexual abuse cases can provide answers, accountability, and access to resources that support recovery and healing.
Your voice deserves to be heard, and our attorneys are ready to listen.
Contact our firm today for a free, confidential consultation to learn more about your legal rights and options.
Image sources: Eric Michael Stinson, Sr., via Northwest Gymnastics Training Center (left), and Gresham Police Department (right). Northwest Gymnastics Training Center, © Google, via Google Maps.
