South Florida gymnastics coach arrested on child porn charges

Carl Lechner arrested after detectives served warrant at Lauderdale Lakes home

LAUDERDALE LAKES, Fla. – A South Florida gymnastics coach was arrested Friday on child pornography charges.

Broward Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Dani Moschella said detectives arrested Carl Lechner after serving a search warrant at his Lauderdale Lakes home.

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Lechner, 66, works as a coach at CATS Gymnastics, a children's fitness center, in Jupiter. Detectives said he also owned and operated TAG USA Gymnastics in Weston from 1989 to 2010 and in Davie from 1989 to 2000.

Michael Zoldan, the current owner of TAG USA Gymnastics, told Local 10 News that he bought the gym from Lechner in 2008 and wouldn't let Lechner work or visit the facility.

 "I didn't like him and there was something about him that I didn't want near," Zoldan said in a statement. "I am thankful that Carl was never associated with TAG USA Gymnastics."

Lechner was arrested on seven counts of possession of child pornography, one count of compiling computer pornography, three counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.

Anyone with information about Lechner is asked to call the BSO at 954-493-TIPS.

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