Gustafson sex-abuse trial begins in Bend

After being delayed for a day, the Richard Gustafson trial on sex abuse charges got underway Thursday morning in a Bend courtroom.

Due to the sensitive nature of the case, NewsChannel 21 was asked not to identify any of the young girls involved, or their family members.

Thursday morning, Gustafson waived his right to a jury trial. Ultimately, his fate now rests in the hands of Judge Wells Ashby.

The prosecution claims five girls have come forward, saying they were sexually abused by Gustafson during slumber parties at the gym he founded, Acrovision Sports Center.

Photos were presented in court of Gustafson’s home and the loft inside Acrovision, where detectives said they seized computers with child pornography on them.

On the witness stand Thursday, one of the young girl’s mothers described what her daughter told her about the night of the sleepover.

“She told me that Coach Rich had snuggled, pulled her on top of him, kissed her on the head many times.”

The lead Bend police detective on the case took the stand. He recalled the first time he took Gustafson into the police station to be interviewed.

“Initially, I smelled what I believed was the odor of an alcoholic beverage as we were seated next to one another. I also noted that Mr. Gustafson was um, flushed and sweating,” said Detective Thomas Russell.

Even though five girls are involved in the allegations, Gustafson is facing 11 charges. That’s one charge for every time he reportedly touched them inappropriately. He also faces 22 counts of encouraging child sex abuse (involving the child porn charges) and cocaine possession.

The trial continues Friday morning and is expected to last five to eight days.