Page 28 and 29 of the code discusses this. That is probably the best resource
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Unfortunately, it really just defines what ineligible vs suspended means, not how or why someone with might be moved to banned. It lists eligibility can be weighed by "transparency about events " or “age of person involved”.
So technically, these three men and more that have had crimes against minors, could come back to the sport despite legal action being taken against them.
While I don’t have information on the specific cases, all of the cases you mentioned are in law enforcements hands. When law enforcement takes control of a case, it is out of SafeSports hands and SafeSport (generally) must wait and defer to law enforcement for their ruling. It most likely means that those cases are in different places in the law enforcement process.
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This has nothing to do with safe sport, but the way Christian Heineking treats his horses has any bearing on how he treats people I could see this. I have never witnessed someone on so many occasions at different horse shows be so cruel. Abuse plain and simple.
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Well that’s bizarre.
Agree and for the majority of my training career- 30 plus years I’ve followed this common sense anyway. 
Another one bites the dust. As a PNW equestrian, I say it’s about time.
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SafeSport doesn’t use the word “banned.” Both Permanently Ineligible and Ineligible mean that a person is banned. The usage has changed since the Center opened; the current difference is whether the Center for SafeSport conducted an investigation themselves and decided on a “ban” themselves, or whether the status is based on a criminal arrest/charge/conviction without a SafeSport investigation. The appeals process is slightly different.
“Permanently Ineligible” means the Center for SafeSport conducted a full investigation themselves and concluded themselves that there were violations warranting a permanent ban. The window to appeal these findings is five business days. If there’s no appeal within that five days, the ban is permanently permanent, no additional appeals possible. (If there is an appeal, that process takes months. If the arbitrator agrees with the ban, it’s permanently permanent, no additional appeals.)
“Ineligible” carries the same restrictions as “Permanently Ineligible” (no participation in sanctioned events at all, ever). Ineligible means that the ban is based on a criminal arrest/charges/conviction rather than a SafeSport-conducted investigation. There are two chances to appeal an “Ineligible” designation. The first is within five business days, same as Permanently Ineligible. The second chance to appeal occurs if charges are dropped or a criminal conviction is overturned.
Debbie Van Horn, an athletic trainer who worked with Larry Nassar at the Ranch in Texas, was arrested and charged with sexual assault of a child “as party to” Nassar’s abuse because she (allegedly) knew about his internal “osteopathic manipulations” and should have known that they weren’t warranted for the injuries involved. SafeSport designated her as “Ineligible” because of the charges/arrest. The charges against her were later dropped. At that point, another appeal window opened for her and she appealed the SafeSport ban and it was overturned because the charges were dropped so she’s no longer banned. The Center for SafeSport can choose to do an investigation themselves at that point and they have in a few cases, although they didn’t investigate Van Horn themselves.
Because this isn’t complicated enough, there’s one more potential status when there’s an arrest/charges/conviction: when SafeSport receives a report that someone was arrested/charged/convicted based on a news article, they give the person the temporary status of “Temporary Suspension” for “Allegations of Misconduct” while they obtain the relevant documents directly from the police/court. Once they obtain them, they’ll change the status to “Ineligible.” (This is the current process, which has changed since the Center opened.)
Of the people you mentioned, Rich Fellers, Dylan Harries, and Alec Lawler are all listed as banned in the Center for SafeSport database with the designation “Ineligible.” Sam Berry is listed as “Temporary Suspension due to Allegations of Misconduct” as of February 16, 2023. If they were arrested in February 2023, they’re likely listed as Temporary Suspension while the Center obtains the original documents and processes them, which can take a few months.
The Center for SafeSports makes it very difficult to understand their procedures and terminology. I’m convinced that’s part of why people are upset about SafeSport - it’s impossible to fully understand what they do and why - although I’ve also learned that I should never underestimate people’s willingness to defend a known predator.
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@MapleinMay, that’s a great explanation of these differences. Thank you for taking the time to explain the details and provide a good example.
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Thank you. This explanation was exactly what I was looking for. They should hire you to write a FAQ or Q&A for them. 
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Michael Traureg!
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Are USEF staff also required to take Safe Sport training, and under the same code of SS conduct as members ?
Yes.
From USEF FAQ;
Any USEF Competing Member who is 18-years-old and older (based on your actual birthday) is required to take the SafeSport training, including amateurs, professionals, juniors who are 18-years-old and older, and owners who have an annual, three-year, or lifetime membership. Others required to take the SafeSport training include USEF licensed officials, Chefs d’Equipe, Staff, Board Members, Competition Management, Coaches, Human Physios, Farriers, Trainers, Veterinarians, and Selectors hired or contracted by USEF. The SafeSport training requirement does not apply to USEF Subscriber Members or USEF Competing Members under the age of 18 (based on your actual birthday).
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My farrier is not thrilled with the fact that he has to do the annual safe sport training in order to be the official farrier at the occasional USEF horse show.
I almost think he said he has to do the periodic background check too, just like licensed officials, but I won’t swear to it.
@MHM, what’s the farriers objection? I take this kind of training for my work, and I’ve done it several times (different employers). I think the USEF version could be a lot shorter, and maybe more crisp, so I thought it was kind of tedious. But overall, I didn’t object. I’m not a competing member, so I took it just out of curiosity.
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I think it’s just because he has to maintain it on the off chance that one of his regular accounts asks him to be the official farrier at one of their shows. I think there are years when he is too busy to even take any of those official farrier slots, but he has to keep up with the training just in case.
But if it’s a client hiring him for a show, not USEF directly, does he still have to do the SS training?
Those who are hired or contracted by USEF or it’s officially designated individuals acting on behalf of the USEF in such matters, must attain/maintain Safesport certification and submit to background checks. It does not mean that those hired for USEF-recognized shows/events must meet those requirements, but for the sake of appearances, it can be required by whomever is organizing.
That’s my understanding of it. He would not need to do the training if he were only going to a show just to shoe his client’s horses. But to be the official show farrier, I think he has to keep up on the safe sport stuff.
