Illinois State gymnast Nirel Bart-Williams has been charged with second degree sexual abuse, a class A misdemeanor in Missouri, following an event that allegedly took place in Cape Girardeau on March 2, 2023. The Illinois State gymnastics team competed at S.E. Missouri, located in Cape Girardeau, the following day. A hearing took place on Jan. 25, 2024, at which time Bart-Williams pled not guilty.
The charge in question, Misdemeanor A RSMo: 566.101, is defined by the Revised Statutes of Missouri as follows:
566.101. Sexual abuse, second degree, penalties. — 1. A person commits the offense of sexual abuse in the second degree if he or she purposely subjects another person to sexual contact without that person’s consent.
The Cape Girardeau Police Department was initially contacted in late August. Summons were issued on Dec. 12, 2023.
Bart-Williams last appeared with the gymnastics team on Jan. 7, 2024, where she competed in the all-around.
The next hearing on the case is scheduled for Feb. 22, 2024. Potential penalties for this charge include imprisonment of up to a year, a fine of up to $2000, or both.
Illinois State Athletics and Bart-Williams’ attorney have been contacted for comment, but at the time of publication have not yet responded. This article will be updated should more information become available.
Article by the editors of College Gym News
She wasn’t even suspended from team activities pending the outcome of the case?!?! Absolutely infuriating. Big name college football programs have disciplined their stars more than Illinois State did in this case for similar charges.
Thank you CGN for reporting this case, even as awful as it is.