In a disturbing turn of events, a gymnastics photographer has found himself behind bars for engaging in the heinous act of distributing child pornography. This case has sent shockwaves through the Michigan gymnastics community and beyond. David Eric Yellen, a 59-year-old from Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced to seven years in prison for his despicable actions.

Uncovering the Dark Side of a Gymnastics Photographer

How It All Came to Light

For years, Yellen was a familiar figure at various gymnastics academies and events, regularly employed as a photographer and videographer. However, his true nature was revealed when the FBI discovered his photos on the internet, being distributed through peer-to-peer file-sharing software. This discovery led to a thorough investigation that uncovered a vast collection of images.When the FBI searched Yellen's house in June 2023, they were astounded by what they found. A staggering 56,000 photos of the bare feet of children who attended gymnastics events and practices were discovered. Some of these photos even zoomed in to show the outline of the children's genitals through their leotards. Prosecutors write in their sentencing memorandum that Yellen meticulously saved and cataloged these pictures in folders under each gymnast's name. Ultimately, they found approximately 1,100 such folders in gymnasts' names, containing over 50,000 pictures. The folders included images of several gymnasts, some as young as three to five years old.

The Motive Behind the Crimes

Detroit Free Press reports that prosecutors believe Yellen became a gymnastics photographer with the intention of fulfilling his sexual desires for children. He managed to earn the trust of young girls who were too innocent and too young to realize that his apparent kindness was a strategic tactic to gain access to their lives for his own benefit. This betrayal of trust is truly heartbreaking.In addition to the photos found on his devices, FBI agents also discovered two million files of child pornography. Yellen was arrested and indicted on charges of distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography. Last week, he was sentenced to seven years in prison, along with 10 years of supervised release upon his release from prison.U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison's statement on Wednesday emphasized the severity of Yellen's actions. "Yellen distributed and possessed an excessive amount of child pornography. Yesterday, he answered for his illegal acts and his egregious breach of trust."This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding our children and the need for strict measures to prevent such heinous crimes from occurring. It is a tragic example of how a trusted figure can turn into a predator.