The body that governs the USA swimming association has officially banned Brock Turner from ever gaining membership again during his natural lifetime.
Turner was found guilty of raping an unconscious woman behind a dumpster at Stanford University. Turner’s “crime and actions” go directly against USA Swimming’s Code of Conduct, disqualifying him from obtaining future membership.
According to USA Swimming, Turner’s former membership had expired at the end of 2014, and at the time of the assault he was not affiliated with the association. Nevertheless, Turner will not be invited to renew his membership and has been banned from competitive swimming.
“Brock Turner’s membership with USA Swimming expired at the end of the calendar year 2014 and he was not a member at the time of his crime or since then,” USA Swimming spokesman Scott Leightman said. “As a result, USA Swimming doesn’t have any jurisdiction over Brock Turner.”
For his three felony charges, Judge Aaron Presky sentenced Turner to six months in Santa Clara county jail. That is far reduced from the 14 years imprisonment most rape cases receive. Of those six, Turner will only serve three with “good conduct,” according to recent reports.
USA Swimming openly condemns Turner’s actions, and says if he had been a member at the time of the assault he would have been subject to the full punishment of his violation of their Code of Conduct.
“Had he been a member, he would have been subject to the USA Swimming Code of Conduct,” the statement said. “USA Swimming strictly prohibits and has zero tolerance for sexual misconduct, with firm Code of Conduct policies in place, and severe penalties, including a permanent ban of membership, for those who violate the Code of Conduct.”
Since handing down Turner’s sentence, Judge Presky has been the subject of social outrage. Many have shared online petitions asking for him to be recalled. One petition from Change.org has been signed by more than a million people as of the morning of June 10, 2016.
