SALEM, Mass. –Dewayne Davenport, a 53-year-old resident of Danvers, Massachusetts, appeared in Salem Superior Court on Tuesday where he was formally arraigned on two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of 14. The charges stem from alleged incidents that occurred more than two decades ago, during Davenport’s tenure as a gymnastics coach at two now-defunct facilities in Essex County — Yellow Jacket Gymnastics in Danvers and the Palaestra Gymnastics Academy in North Andover.
The proceedings were overseen by Judge Thomas Drechsler. Davenport entered a plea of not guilty to all charges. He was subsequently released on personal recognizance, under strict court-imposed conditions. Among those conditions, Davenport must have no contact — either direct or indirect — with any of the alleged victims or witnesses identified by the Essex County District Attorney’s Office. A list of names was submitted to the court to ensure compliance with this no-contact order.
Assistant District Attorney Lindsay Nasson is leading the prosecution for the Commonwealth, while Davenport is being represented by defense attorney John Slattery.
The charges represent another chapter in the broader reckoning within youth athletic programs, where institutions once considered safe havens for developing children are now being re-examined for patterns of abuse and systemic failures to protect minors. Though both gymnastic facilities associated with the allegations have either closed or undergone significant structural changes since the early 2000s, the District Attorney’s Office continues to seek out additional information and encourages anyone with relevant knowledge to come forward.
In accordance with Massachusetts law, details surrounding the victims’ identities remain strictly confidential to protect their privacy and well-being. Prosecutors have not disclosed whether additional charges may be forthcoming or whether other potential victims have come forward.
Davenport is scheduled to return to court on October 2 at 9:30 a.m. for a compliance hearing, where the court will review any updates in the case and ensure that the conditions of his release are being followed.
As a reminder, all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The legal process is ongoing, and no further comment from the Essex County District Attorney’s Office or Davenport’s defense team has been released at this time.
The Essex County District Attorney’s Office has emphasized its continued commitment to investigating and prosecuting crimes against children, no matter how much time has passed. Anyone with information about this case or similar incidents is encouraged to contact the office directly.
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