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Former karate teacher sentenced for rape
February 27, 2002 12:00 AM
A former Wareham karate instructor found guilty of raping two children has been sentenced to 10 to 12 years in jail.
David W. Collins, 33, formerly of Marion, also faces 10 years probation and was ordered to keep away from children and to participate in sex offender counseling.
Plymouth County Superior Court Judge Richard J. Chin handed down the sentence on Feb. 11 after a jury found him guilty of two counts of forcible rape of a child under 16.
Mr. Collins has appealed the sentence, according to court records.
The one-time martial arts athlete was arrested in Florida in February 1999 on two counts of rape of a child by force.
According to police, Mr. Collins apparently had been living in Florida for months, since learning that police were investigating allegations made against him. The allegations came to light in October 1998.
While in Florida, Mr. Collins lived in Indian Shores, where he worked as a karate instructor.
Previously, he worked as a karate instructor at the Body Clinic on Marion Road in Wareham.
According to police, one of the rapes allegedly occurred at a private home in Wareham, and the other allegedly occurred in a hotel in Brockton. Both incidents occurred in 1993.
One boy was Mr. Collins' karate student. The other was an acquaintance of a karate student.
Mr. Collins at one time was a renowned martial arts athlete and, in 1990, was ranked the No. — black belt in the Northeast.
Mr. Collins trained and taught at Red Dragon Martial Arts Academy, which operated out of the Body Clinic, owned by his father.
Former karate teacher sentenced for rape
February 27, 2002 12:00 AM
A former Wareham karate instructor found guilty of raping two children has been sentenced to 10 to 12 years in jail.
David W. Collins, 33, formerly of Marion, also faces 10 years probation and was ordered to keep away from children and to participate in sex offender counseling.
Plymouth County Superior Court Judge Richard J. Chin handed down the sentence on Feb. 11 after a jury found him guilty of two counts of forcible rape of a child under 16.
Mr. Collins has appealed the sentence, according to court records.
The one-time martial arts athlete was arrested in Florida in February 1999 on two counts of rape of a child by force.
According to police, Mr. Collins apparently had been living in Florida for months, since learning that police were investigating allegations made against him. The allegations came to light in October 1998.
While in Florida, Mr. Collins lived in Indian Shores, where he worked as a karate instructor.
Previously, he worked as a karate instructor at the Body Clinic on Marion Road in Wareham.
According to police, one of the rapes allegedly occurred at a private home in Wareham, and the other allegedly occurred in a hotel in Brockton. Both incidents occurred in 1993.
One boy was Mr. Collins' karate student. The other was an acquaintance of a karate student.
Mr. Collins at one time was a renowned martial arts athlete and, in 1990, was ranked the No. — black belt in the Northeast.
Mr. Collins trained and taught at Red Dragon Martial Arts Academy, which operated out of the Body Clinic, owned by his father.
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19990224/NEWS/302249998
Former Wareham karate teacher charged with child rape
By Patricia O'Connor, Standard-Times staff writer
February 24, 1999 12:00 AM
WAREHAM -- A former Wareham karate instructor and onetime world-class martial arts athlete has been indicted on two counts of rape of a child by force.
David W. Collins, 31, formerly of Marion, was arrested in Florida Monday and is expected to be brought back to Massachusetts within days to face the charges.
A state police detective said Mr. Collins moved south last fall after he learned two teen-age boys told authorities he raped them several years ago.
Because the investigation was ongoing here, Mr. Collins was living in Indian Shores, Fla., working as a karate instructor.
Mr. Collins, whose last known local address was 11 Spinnaker Lane in Marion, was picked up Monday in Florida on a fugitive-from-justice charge.
As of yesterday, the man whose karate expertise was profiled in newspaper stories during the late 1980s and early 1990s remained in the Pinellas County Jail there, awaiting rendition back to Massachusetts.
According to state Trooper Joseph Mason, Mr. Collins apparently had been living in Florida for months, since learning that police were investigating allegations made against him; the allegations came to light last October.
"A teen-age boy came forward to the Wareham police and made an allegation of a sexual assault/rape against David Collins, who was a karate instructor at the Body Clinic," Trooper Mason said.
Detective Preston Urquhart launched the investigation and was soon joined by Trooper Mason, a detective assigned to Plymouth County District Attorney Michael Sullivan's office.
During the investigation, a second teen-age boy came forward, saying Mr. Collins raped him several years ago.
The evidence was presented to a grand jury, and the two indictments charging Mr. Collins with rape of a child by force were handed up by a Plymouth County grand jury Feb. 5.
According to Trooper Mason, one of the rapes allegedly occurred at a private home in Wareham, and the other allegedly occurred in a hotel in Brockton. Both incidents occurred in 1993.
One boy was Mr. Collins' karate student. The other was an acquaintance of a karate student.
An employee of Route 6 health club the Body Clinic yesterday afternoon said the manager and owner were not available to answer questions pertaining to Mr. Collins.
Trooper Mason said it is his understanding the Body Clinic is a family run business and Mr. Collins worked there as a karate instructor.
Next to a sign touting the fitness club was one that says "Red Dragon Martial Arts Academy -- Head Instructor David Collins -- Trainer of Champions."
Trophies line the windows of the martial arts school, which shares the Body Clinic building, but no classes appeared to be in progress.
According to clips from past Standard-Times articles, Mr. Collins at one time was a renowned martial arts athlete and in 1990 was the No. — black belt in the Northeast. Those articles stated that Mr. Collins trained and taught at the Red Dragon Martial Arts Academy, which operated out of the Body Clinic, owned by his father, Jim.
According to Florida law enforcement officials, when Mr. Collins was arrested by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Department Monday afternoon, he was living on the second floor of a building on Gulf Boulevard in Indian Shores.
On the first floor of the building is the Red Dragon Martial Arts Academy.
According to Pinellas County Deputy Calvin Dennie, Mr. Collins told officers he was giving private martial arts instruction.
A person who answered the phone at the Collins Spinnaker Road home in Marion said he is renting the property for the season.
Former Wareham karate teacher charged with child rape
By Patricia O'Connor, Standard-Times staff writer
February 24, 1999 12:00 AM
WAREHAM -- A former Wareham karate instructor and onetime world-class martial arts athlete has been indicted on two counts of rape of a child by force.
David W. Collins, 31, formerly of Marion, was arrested in Florida Monday and is expected to be brought back to Massachusetts within days to face the charges.
A state police detective said Mr. Collins moved south last fall after he learned two teen-age boys told authorities he raped them several years ago.
Because the investigation was ongoing here, Mr. Collins was living in Indian Shores, Fla., working as a karate instructor.
Mr. Collins, whose last known local address was 11 Spinnaker Lane in Marion, was picked up Monday in Florida on a fugitive-from-justice charge.
As of yesterday, the man whose karate expertise was profiled in newspaper stories during the late 1980s and early 1990s remained in the Pinellas County Jail there, awaiting rendition back to Massachusetts.
According to state Trooper Joseph Mason, Mr. Collins apparently had been living in Florida for months, since learning that police were investigating allegations made against him; the allegations came to light last October.
"A teen-age boy came forward to the Wareham police and made an allegation of a sexual assault/rape against David Collins, who was a karate instructor at the Body Clinic," Trooper Mason said.
Detective Preston Urquhart launched the investigation and was soon joined by Trooper Mason, a detective assigned to Plymouth County District Attorney Michael Sullivan's office.
During the investigation, a second teen-age boy came forward, saying Mr. Collins raped him several years ago.
The evidence was presented to a grand jury, and the two indictments charging Mr. Collins with rape of a child by force were handed up by a Plymouth County grand jury Feb. 5.
According to Trooper Mason, one of the rapes allegedly occurred at a private home in Wareham, and the other allegedly occurred in a hotel in Brockton. Both incidents occurred in 1993.
One boy was Mr. Collins' karate student. The other was an acquaintance of a karate student.
An employee of Route 6 health club the Body Clinic yesterday afternoon said the manager and owner were not available to answer questions pertaining to Mr. Collins.
Trooper Mason said it is his understanding the Body Clinic is a family run business and Mr. Collins worked there as a karate instructor.
Next to a sign touting the fitness club was one that says "Red Dragon Martial Arts Academy -- Head Instructor David Collins -- Trainer of Champions."
Trophies line the windows of the martial arts school, which shares the Body Clinic building, but no classes appeared to be in progress.
According to clips from past Standard-Times articles, Mr. Collins at one time was a renowned martial arts athlete and in 1990 was the No. — black belt in the Northeast. Those articles stated that Mr. Collins trained and taught at the Red Dragon Martial Arts Academy, which operated out of the Body Clinic, owned by his father, Jim.
According to Florida law enforcement officials, when Mr. Collins was arrested by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Department Monday afternoon, he was living on the second floor of a building on Gulf Boulevard in Indian Shores.
On the first floor of the building is the Red Dragon Martial Arts Academy.
According to Pinellas County Deputy Calvin Dennie, Mr. Collins told officers he was giving private martial arts instruction.
A person who answered the phone at the Collins Spinnaker Road home in Marion said he is renting the property for the season.
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Wareham rape suspect pleads not guilty
By Manuela Da Costa-Fernandes, Standard-Times staff writer
March 09, 1999 12:00 AM
BROCKTON -- A former Wareham karate instructor was held on $20,000 bail yesterday after pleading not guilty yesterday to raping two former students.
Bail was set after his attorney argued the charges stemmed from a vindictive ex-girlfriend, while the district attorney contended he assaulted his students after drugging them with marijuana and alcohol.
David W. Collins, 31, formerly of Marion and most recently of Florida, was charged with two counts of forced rape of a child under 16 years old, stemming from separate incidents dating back to 1993.
In a courtroom packed with media, Plymouth County Superior Court Judge Charles J. Hely set a pre-trial hearing for March 25. A trial at the Brockton courthouse is slated for May 20.
Mr. Collins, who was brought to Massachusetts after being arrested last month in Florida as a fugitive from justice following his indictment, could face life in prison if convicted.
During the 20-minute arraignment, a clean-shaven Mr. Collins, handcuffed and shackled, sat stiffly upright, focusing on the judge. Wearing jeans and a short-sleeved denim shirt, Mr. Collins, who is short and slight in build, was expressionless, occasionally nodding vigorously as attorneys and the judge spoke. His father, James Collins, sat in the back of the courtroom.
J. Drew Segadelli of Falmouth, attorney for Mr. Collins, a once-world-class martial artist, said the charges originate from a vindictive ex-girlfriend.
Assistant District Attorney Robert Kenney had sought a high bail based on the "egregious nature" of the acts the defendant allegedly performed on the victims. Prosecutors also claimed that Mr. Collins fled the state at the onset of the investigation.
Mr. Segadelli, however, argued his client had lived all his life in the area, has strong family ties here and no default warrants or previous Superior Court appearances unaccounted for. He had pushed for release on personal recognizance.
Mr. Collins was expected to post bail.
Outlining the history of the case, Mr. Kenney said the two alleged victims, both teen-agers, have been friends since childhood and lived in the Wareham area. Both knew Mr. Collins through his martial arts classes.
According to the prosecution, the first incident allegedly took place during the summer of 1993 when the defendant and one of the alleged victims left for a martial arts tournament in Connecticut and ended up at a motel off Route 24 in Brockton.
There, the prosecutor said, Mr. Collins' is accused of supplying the teen-ager with beer, vodka and marijuana. The youth passed out and eventually woke to find the karate instructor performing oral sex on him, according to the prosecutor.
The incident involving the second youth allegedly occurred on Dec. 23, 1994, at a private home in Wareham.
Mr. Collins allegedly provided the teen-ager beer and marijuana, and, the next morning, performed oral sex on him, Mr. Kenney said.
Mr. Segadelli told the judge Mr. Collins has cooperated fully since learning of the investigation. The instructor at the Red Dragon Martial Arts Academy, which is attached to the Body Clinic in Wareham, had moved to Indian Shores, Fla., to live with his sister and teach private karate lessons.
"Whatever you need, I'll get on an airplane," said Mr. Segadelli, describing his client's reaction to the investigation.
The Wareham karate studio, though housed in the Body Clinic, is not part of the health club owned by Mr. Collins' family.
The defense attorney contends that the charges stem from a vindictive ex-girlfriend who knew about the incident several years before she reported it to police.
State police, however, had recently said the allegations against Mr. Collins first surfaced last October when a teen-aged boy went to Wareham police to report a sexual assault/rape charge against Mr. Collins.
Wareham Detective Preston Urquhart launched the investigation and was joined by the State Police's Trooper Joseph Mason, a detective assigned to Plymouth County District Attorney Michael Sullivan's office.
The probe is continuing.
In 1996, Mr. Collins pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon (a knife) in Barnstable District Court and was given a 60-day suspended jail sentence.
The charge arose from an argument in Bourne with a relative of his ex-girlfriend -- the same woman that Mr. Collins' attorney claims started the rape investigation.Staff writer David Rising contributed to this report.
Photo by Bert Lane
Attorney Drew Segadelli confers with his client, David Collins, in Superior Court in Brockton yesterday.
Wareham rape suspect pleads not guilty
By Manuela Da Costa-Fernandes, Standard-Times staff writer
March 09, 1999 12:00 AM
BROCKTON -- A former Wareham karate instructor was held on $20,000 bail yesterday after pleading not guilty yesterday to raping two former students.
Bail was set after his attorney argued the charges stemmed from a vindictive ex-girlfriend, while the district attorney contended he assaulted his students after drugging them with marijuana and alcohol.
David W. Collins, 31, formerly of Marion and most recently of Florida, was charged with two counts of forced rape of a child under 16 years old, stemming from separate incidents dating back to 1993.
In a courtroom packed with media, Plymouth County Superior Court Judge Charles J. Hely set a pre-trial hearing for March 25. A trial at the Brockton courthouse is slated for May 20.
Mr. Collins, who was brought to Massachusetts after being arrested last month in Florida as a fugitive from justice following his indictment, could face life in prison if convicted.
During the 20-minute arraignment, a clean-shaven Mr. Collins, handcuffed and shackled, sat stiffly upright, focusing on the judge. Wearing jeans and a short-sleeved denim shirt, Mr. Collins, who is short and slight in build, was expressionless, occasionally nodding vigorously as attorneys and the judge spoke. His father, James Collins, sat in the back of the courtroom.
J. Drew Segadelli of Falmouth, attorney for Mr. Collins, a once-world-class martial artist, said the charges originate from a vindictive ex-girlfriend.
Assistant District Attorney Robert Kenney had sought a high bail based on the "egregious nature" of the acts the defendant allegedly performed on the victims. Prosecutors also claimed that Mr. Collins fled the state at the onset of the investigation.
Mr. Segadelli, however, argued his client had lived all his life in the area, has strong family ties here and no default warrants or previous Superior Court appearances unaccounted for. He had pushed for release on personal recognizance.
Mr. Collins was expected to post bail.
Outlining the history of the case, Mr. Kenney said the two alleged victims, both teen-agers, have been friends since childhood and lived in the Wareham area. Both knew Mr. Collins through his martial arts classes.
According to the prosecution, the first incident allegedly took place during the summer of 1993 when the defendant and one of the alleged victims left for a martial arts tournament in Connecticut and ended up at a motel off Route 24 in Brockton.
There, the prosecutor said, Mr. Collins' is accused of supplying the teen-ager with beer, vodka and marijuana. The youth passed out and eventually woke to find the karate instructor performing oral sex on him, according to the prosecutor.
The incident involving the second youth allegedly occurred on Dec. 23, 1994, at a private home in Wareham.
Mr. Collins allegedly provided the teen-ager beer and marijuana, and, the next morning, performed oral sex on him, Mr. Kenney said.
Mr. Segadelli told the judge Mr. Collins has cooperated fully since learning of the investigation. The instructor at the Red Dragon Martial Arts Academy, which is attached to the Body Clinic in Wareham, had moved to Indian Shores, Fla., to live with his sister and teach private karate lessons.
"Whatever you need, I'll get on an airplane," said Mr. Segadelli, describing his client's reaction to the investigation.
The Wareham karate studio, though housed in the Body Clinic, is not part of the health club owned by Mr. Collins' family.
The defense attorney contends that the charges stem from a vindictive ex-girlfriend who knew about the incident several years before she reported it to police.
State police, however, had recently said the allegations against Mr. Collins first surfaced last October when a teen-aged boy went to Wareham police to report a sexual assault/rape charge against Mr. Collins.
Wareham Detective Preston Urquhart launched the investigation and was joined by the State Police's Trooper Joseph Mason, a detective assigned to Plymouth County District Attorney Michael Sullivan's office.
The probe is continuing.
In 1996, Mr. Collins pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon (a knife) in Barnstable District Court and was given a 60-day suspended jail sentence.
The charge arose from an argument in Bourne with a relative of his ex-girlfriend -- the same woman that Mr. Collins' attorney claims started the rape investigation.Staff writer David Rising contributed to this report.
Photo by Bert Lane
Attorney Drew Segadelli confers with his client, David Collins, in Superior Court in Brockton yesterday.