Girls, parents testify at Gustafson sex-abuse trial

The Richard Gustafson sex abuse trial continued on Monday with testimony from some of the victims’ parents, a DNA analyst — and a few of the young girls involved in the case.

The founder and gymnastics coach at Acrovision Sports Center is Bend is on trial on 33 charges, accused of sexually abusing several young girls during sleepovers at the facility and also having child pornography.

Two of Gustafson’s former co-workers took the stand. One said in his time at the gym, he “did not see Gustafson act inappropriately with the girls.”

A DNA analyst with the Oregon State Police crime lab said she tested some of the girls pajamas and underwear for Gustafson’s DNA. But there was not enough conclusive evidence in the results.

Two of the young girls involved in this case also took the stand. Due to the sensitive nature of the case, NewsChannel 21 is not identifying the girls or their family members.

One of the girls said, “He got in my sleeping bag kind of and touched me. He grabbed me and flipped me on his chest.”

One of the young girl’s mothers explained what her daughter said she saw Gustafson doing during a sleepover this past New Year’s Eve.

“She said she saw him rolling along the girls in an uncomfortable way and it made her feel really nervous,” the mother said. “So she had to pretend like she was asleep, so he wouldn’t see her. And she saw him pull his pants down and grunt.”

The defense also asked questions about a former Acrovision employee who was reportedly let go. One of the reasons given for that decision was because parents said he made them feel uncomfortable.

The prosecution is expected to wrap up its presentation by Tuesday. The defense the will present its case. Gustafson waived his right to a jury trial, so the judge is hearing the case, expected to wrap up later this week.