Gymnastics instructor accused of sex assault

HEBER SPRINGS — The owner of a Heber Springs gymnastics center for children has been charged with sexually assaulting a child, authorities said.

Matthew “Tink” Tinkle, 25, the owner of Tink’s Tumblers, was arrested Thursday and charged with one count of rape.

A news release from the Heber Springs Police Department said the victim is a girl younger than 14.

As of Monday, Tinkle remained in the Cleburne County jail in lieu of a $50,000 bond, a Police Department dispatcher said. His status was unknown Tuesday.

According to the Tink’s Tumblers website, Tinkle has worked as a gymnastics and cheer coach for six years. He trained with a member of the 1976 U.S. Olympics gymnastics team and has worked with young children in “pre-team gymnastics” classes as well as coaching advanced classes and competitive cheering teams, the website says.

“When I tumble, it’s like no one is around, and I am free to fly where ever I want,” he wrote on the website.

The Heber Springs Police Department and the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Unit are continuing to investigate.