The mix-up
Real talk: things got confusing fast when the Eaton County prosecuting attorney’s office claimed Larry Nassar was removed from Michigan’s sex offender registry. They even dropped a screenshot showing zero search results for him, suggesting a recent state supreme court ruling on the Sex Offender Registration Act (Sora) had scrubbed his name from the system. It’s giving major misinformation, and the vibes were understandably off for everyone involved.
The reality check
On Friday, Michigan state police had to step in and clear the air. They confirmed that Nassar was never actually in the Michigan database to begin with. Why? Because he’s currently serving his time in a federal prison in Pennsylvania. Under state law, people who aren't living, working, or going to school in Michigan aren't required to be on that specific public registry. If he ever returns to Michigan—which, considering his sentencing, isn't happening anytime soon—he’d be back on it.
Following the correction, the Eaton County office issued an apology, admitting they didn't realize he wasn't registered in the first place despite his history.
A long road
Nassar, who abused gymnasts for decades at Michigan State University and for Team USA, is currently serving a massive sentence. He's projected to stay in federal custody until 2068, when he would be 104 years old. While Michigan lawmakers can't undo the recent supreme court ruling that removed over 20,000 other people from the registry, they could potentially pass new legislation to address the database gaps.
Why it matters
For the survivors of Nassar’s abuse—including Olympic icons like Simone Biles and Aly Raisman—accuracy regarding his status is essential. When public agencies fumble the facts, it adds unnecessary trauma to a community already dealing with enough.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, help is available. In the US, you can contact RAINN at 800-656-4673.
