Larry Nassar was stabbed at a federal prison in Florida over the weekend, per multiple reports.
According to the Associated Press, which cited two sources close to the situation in their report on Monday, the former sports doctor and convicted child molester was stabbed “in the back and in the chest” by a fellow inmate at the U.S. Penitentiary Coleman facility in Florida. The stabbing reportedly occurred on Sunday and is now the subject of an investigation.
By Monday morning, the report added, Nassar was believed to be in stable condition. The full extent of his injuries, however, was not immediately disclosed. A separate report from NBC News cites a prison employees union rep as stating that Nassar was stabbed “twice in the neck, twice in the back, and six times in the chest” during an altercation with a fellow inmate. As a result, he reportedly suffered a collapsed lung.
When reached for comment by Complex on Monday, a Bureau of Prisons rep declined to identify those involved in the incident but did confirm that an inmate was “assaulted” on Sunday afternoon.
"For privacy, safety, and security reasons, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) does not discuss the conditions of confinement for any inmate or group of inmates including medical status. However, we can confirm on Sunday, July 9, 2023, at approximately 2:35 pm, an inmate was assaulted at the United States Penitentiary (USP) Coleman II, in Sumterville, Florida. Responding staff immediately initiated life-saving measures. Staff requested Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and life-saving efforts continued. The inmate was transported by EMS to a local hospital for further treatment and evaluation. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was notified. No staff or other inmates were injured and at no time was the public in danger. An internal investigation is ongoing."
Per the prison's official site, “visiting at this facility has been suspended until further notice,” though it wasn’t immediately clear how long this policy had been in place, or why.
Last June, Nassar’s final appeal was rejected by the Michigan Supreme Court in connection with his 2018 sentencing at the state level. Presently, Nassar—whose convictions span both the federal and state level—is serving the federal portion (60 years) of his multiple sentences.
“With Nassar’s express agreement, Judge Aquilina listened to more than 150 survivors describe their sexual abuse by him," Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in 2021 in response to Nassar’s state appeal efforts. "While Judge Aquilina may have responded at times to the emotional victim impact statements with inappropriate language, she ultimately sentenced Nassar within the range to which he had previously agreed. The last thing the victims should have to endure is prolonging the closure they so desperately need."
Also in 2021, the FBI’s handling of the abuse allegations against Nassar was the subject of an investigative report from the Department of Justice’s Inspector General. Among the findings was that officials “did not take responsibility for their failures” when the agency’s handling of the allegations drew criticism from the public and beyond.
