Theresa Mitchell, a former gymnastics coach in the United States, is facing up to 30 years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to multiple counts involving child pornography and money laundering.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced the plea agreement on Wednesday, revealing Ms Mitchell’s crimes occurred between 2023 and 2025 when she colluded with her co-conspirator, Christopher Buckeridge, to produce and sell images depicting sexually explicit conduct. 

The government also alleged that the defendant sold and distributed those images and videos to customers on social media platforms, messaging applications, and subscription-based websites, which earned her hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Additionally, the 44-year-old received hundreds of images from Mr Buckeridge that showed minors being sexually abused and material depicting the sexual abuse of prepubescent children.

“According to court documents, between 2023 and 2025, Theresa Mitchell conspired with Christopher Buckeridge to produce and sell images of minor children engaged in sexually explicit conduct,” the Justice Department stated.

The department added, “Ultimately, Mitchell received hundreds of thousands of dollars from selling images and videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.”

A federal arrest warrant was subsequently issued for the apprehension of Ms Mitchell and Mr Buckeridge on March 17, 2026. Ms Mitchell was eventually arrested two days later before being charged with one count of conspiracy to produce and distribute child pornography. 

Other charges include two counts of production of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography, one count of possession of child pornography and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Instead of fighting the case at trial, the defendant opted to plead guilty to the charges on Monday, and she is set to be sentenced later in October, facing a maximum prison term of 30 years. 

She will also be required to pay restitution to her victims and to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.