Larry Nassar, a former Team USA gymnastics doctor convicted of sexually assaulting numerous young athletes while working as a physician at Michigan State University and with USA Gymnastics, has been removed from Michigan’s Sex Offender Registry following a September 9 ruling by the Michigan Supreme Court. Eaton County Prosecuting Attorney Douglas R. Lloyd’s office confirmed the development earlier this week.

Nassar abused his position as a trusted doctor to molest more than 265 girls and young women across more than two decades. He performed unnecessary and invasive “treatments” on athletes seeking care for sports injuries, often at Michigan State University facilities or the Twistars gymnastics club. Many victims were minors, including aspiring Olympians. The abuse came to light after years of complaints that institutions failed to address.

He pleaded guilty to 10 counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, seven in Ingham County and three in Eaton County. In separate federal proceedings, Nassar admitted to receiving child pornography in 2004, possessing tens of thousands of such images from 2004 to 2016, and destroying evidence. He received sentences of 40 to 175 years in Ingham County and 40 to 125 years in Eaton County. The separate federal convictions for child pornography and related charges added 60 years in prison.

The decision in People v. Eddie Lee Smith determined that the state’s current Sex Offenders Registration Act cannot be applied retroactively to individuals whose offenses occurred before July 1, 2011. Nassar had committed his crimes prior to the 2011 cutoff date. His convictions came later. The new court ruling led Michigan State Police to remove more than 20,000 individuals from the registry. Nassar’s removal does not affect his criminal convictions or prison sentences. He remains incarcerated under effective life sentences totaling more than 100 years in state prison, to be served after his federal term.

Prosecutors have expressed strong concerns about the decision. The Eaton County office noted that the ruling applies to many offenders, including some already released into communities and others still in prison who will no longer register upon release. Officials described the court’s approach as overly broad and stated it compromises community awareness and victim protections.

The ruling does not erase public records of convictions or alter prison terms. It solely removes registration requirements for qualifying pre-2011 offenses. Prosecutors highlighted other cases affected, including that of another physician convicted of patient assaults who has since been released without registry obligations.

The Michigan Supreme Court’s unanimous decision focused on constitutional limits against retroactive punishment. Individuals whose offenses occurred on or after July 1, 2011, remain subject to the registry requirements.