Governor Greg Abbott asks Texas Rangers to investigate Karolyi Ranch

PHOTOS: Go inside the Karolyi Ranch

The Karolyi Ranch, roughly 11 miles northeast of New Waverly, began hosting monthly training camps for elite gymnasts in 1990.

Browse through the photos above for a look inside Karolyi Ranch. less PHOTOS: Go inside the Karolyi Ranch

The Karolyi Ranch, roughly 11 miles northeast of New Waverly, began hosting monthly training camps for elite gymnasts in 1990.

Browse through the photos above for a look inside ... more Photo: David J. Phillip, STF Photo: David J. Phillip, STF Image 1 of / 50 Caption Close Governor Greg Abbott asks Texas Rangers to investigate Karolyi Ranch 1 / 50 Back to Gallery

Gov. Greg Abbott enlisted the Texas Rangers on Tuesday to investigate reports of sexual abuse at the Karolyi Ranch, focusing not only on disgraced USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar but anyone who may have enabled Nassar's crimes against female gymnasts.

Abbott's instructions to Col. Steven McCraw, director of the Department of Public Safety, gives new urgency for a probe already under way by the Walker County Sheriff's Department into events at the ranch, owned by famed coaches Bela and Martha Karolyi, that until recently served as USA Gymnastics' national women's training center.

The governor's letter to the DPS said reports of athlete abuse by Nassar, 54, who last week pleaded guilty in Michigan to criminal sexual conduct charges, were "deeply disturbing and demand thorough and swift justice."

"Those athletes, as well as all Texans, deserve to know that no stone is left unturned to ensure that the allegations are thoroughly vetted and the perpetrators and enablers of any such misconduct are brought to justice," Abbott added.

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The Rangers investigation will join probes planned by the U.S. Olympic Committee and the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee in the wake of Nassar's seven-day sentencing hearing in Lansing, Mich., that featured statements from more than 150 young women victimized by Nassar.

Those probes continue as the House on Monday passed and sent to the Senate a bill making it mandatory for amateur sports groups to report allegations of sexual assault immediately to law enforcement.

The bill also calls for guidelines to prevent physical, emotional and sexual abuse of athletes. It was expected to receive quick approval by the Senate on Tuesday before being sent to President Trump for his signature.

A DPS spokesman said the Rangers investigation is under way but did not address whether officers will question Nassar, who has been sentenced in Michigan to 40 to 175 years after pleading guilty to seven counts of criminal sexual conduct, or the Karolyis, both of whom are former USA Gymnastics national team coordinators.

Walker County Sheriff Clint McRae said last week that investigators from his office have spoken with USA Gymnastics officials in Indianapolis and might request permission to speak with Nassar, who last week was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison after pleading guilty to seven state charges of criminal sexual conduct.

A generation of championship gymnasts, including more than a dozen Olympic medalists and world championship medalists, have met monthly at the Karolyis' ranch since 2001, located 11 miles northeast of New Waverly, for group training sessions.

Among the gymnasts who have said they were abused by Nassar under the guise of medical treatment were 2012 and 2016 gold medalist Aly Raisman and 2012 gold medalist Jordyn Wieber, both of whom gave statements at Nassar's sentencing hearing, and four-time 2016 gold medalist Simone Biles of Spring.

With Nassar already facing a lengthy prison term in Michigan on top of a 60-year federal prison term on child pornography charges, Houston attorney Philip Hilder, a former prosecutor, said the Rangers probe will likely focus on whether charges are warranted against others.

"They will try to determine who knew what when and what they did or what they had an obligation to do by coming forward," Hilder said. "The Rangers have a reputation of being thorough. Their findings will have credibility."

Parents were barred from the monthly training camps that were attended by a dozen or more national team members plus their coaches and several national team staff members based in Indianapolis and elsewhere.

Abbott said in his letter that the Rangers' involvement was essential because Nassar has acknowledged committing crimes across multiple states.

Neither USA Gymnastics nor Houston attorney Gary Jewell, who represents the Karolyis, had immediate comment on Abbott's letter.

John Manly, an attorney in Los Angeles who has filed a lawsuit against Nassar, USA Gymnastics, the Karolyis and others on behalf of several gymnasts victimized by Nassar, said in an email his clients were grateful for the Rangers' involvement.

"We hope this investigation will shed further light on this tragedy and who at the ranch is responsible for the horrors that occurred there," Manly said.

Nassar, who worked for USA Gymnastics from 1996 through 2015 and also was employed by Michigan State University, faces another sentencing hearing Wednesday in Charlotte, Mich. He has pleaded guilty to three counts of three counts of sexual assault committed at Twistars, a gymnastics center owned by John Geddert, coach of the 2012 Olympic women's gymnastics team.

At least 57 victims impact statements are expected, according to a memo released Tuesday by the Michigan Attorney General's Office.

The attorney general's office and the NCAA also will investigate Michigan State, whose president and athletic director resigned in the wake of attention generated by his sentencing hearing. The USOC will commission a separate investigation of USA Gymnastics and has ordered sweeping reforms at the federation, including the resignation of its board of directors.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.