Child porn suspect loses job as coach at Hanover Park gym

A St. Charles man arrested Oct. 10 on charges he possessed child pornography has been fired from his job at a Hanover Park gym.

Vernor Gumila, 38, coached at Gymkhana Gymnastics Club & Dance Studio on Tower Drive for more than 15 years.

"We can't take the chance," owner Mike Buckley said. "He was terminated the day after the accusations came out."

Gumila is the roommate of 33-year-old Shawn Bowlden, of 929 S. Third St. in St. Charles. Bowlden, who has worked at St. Charles Gymnastics Academy, also has been charged with possession of child pornography.

Gumila is free after posting $25,000 bail, while Bowlden remained Wednesday at the Kane County jail on $200,000 bond. They'll both appear in court Oct. 26.

Bowlden was fired the afternoon of his arrest from the St. Charles Gymnastics Academy, where he worked for 12 years.

"There were no ifs, ands or buts about it," said Jay Fisher, one of the gym's owners. "We're very saddened by this but we'll move on."

Fisher said Bowlden was always professional and that no one has ever made a complaint.

Authorities arrested Gumila at the gym while he worked with students.

Gumila coached mostly at the team level, a competitive group of gymnasts ranging in ages from 7 to 16, Buckley said.

No one has come forward with any information that Gumila acted inappropriately at Gymkhana, Buckley said.

Any mention of Gumila has been removed from Gymkhana's Web site. Before the update, the staff biographies stated he also taught recreational classes and coached all levels of gymnastics.