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WEST PALM BEACH -- A suburban Boca Raton karate instructor charged in a sex case pleaded guilty in his best interest Thursday to battery on a child. In exchange, Richard R. Tillotson, 42, was sentenced to two years' probation and a finding of guilt was withheld. Tillotson taught the victim at his business, T's Kenpo Karate School, since she was 10, Palm Beach County sheriff's officials said. The victim told deputies that a sexual relationship began when she was 15. A prosecutor was unavailable to comment on the plea deal.
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WEST PALM BEACH -- A suburban Boca Raton karate instructor charged in a sex case pleaded guilty in his best interest Thursday to battery on a child. In exchange, Richard R. Tillotson, 42, was sentenced to two years' probation and a finding of guilt was withheld. Tillotson taught the victim at his business, T's Kenpo Karate School, since she was 10, Palm Beach County sheriff's officials said. The victim told deputies that a sexual relationship began when she was 15. A prosecutor was unavailable to comment on the plea deal.
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http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2001-12-22/news/0112220259_1_student-detectives-sheriff
Karate Teacher Charged In Sexual Assault Case
December 22, 2001 | By Nancy L. OthM-sn Staff Writer
WEST BOCA Raton — A black belt karate instructor who called himself "Mr. T" has been charged in connection with a three-year sexual relationship with one of his students that began when she was 15 years old.
Richard Tillotson, 42, and the student, now 19, considered themselves to be boyfriend and girlfriend, according to detectives at the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.
They began their relationship in May 1998 and considered May 8 their "anniversary," the student told detectives. The student met Tillotson at Mr. T's Kenpo Karate School on Boca Rio Road, which he moved in October to Coconut Creek.
"The girl started taking lessons when she was 10," said Sheriff's Sgt. Carol Gregg of the special investigations unit. "He cultivated this relationship and things progressed from there."
Sheriff's Detective Gary Chapin said he does not think there are other victims and doesn't think any students were aware of the relationship.
The student moved into Tillotson's home west of Boca Raton earlier this year, Chapin said. After the couple began having problems, the 19-year-old called the Sheriff's Office for assistance in moving out her belongings when Tillotson changed the locks.
"She told the deputy she had been in this relationship since she was 15," Chapin said. "The deputy did the math and let her know she was the victim of a crime. She thought it over awhile and decided to pursue this."
Chapin said Tillotson knew the student had contacted law enforcement authorities about him.
"She explained to him that it was her choice," Chapin said.
Gregg said a tape-recorded telephone conversation between Tillotson and the alleged victim helped detectives make their case.
According his arrest affidavit, Tillotson told the woman on the tape that he would go to jail for 30 years, "because you were under 16."
"You opened a big can of worms here. And it's partially my fault because I did do these things with you. Which I never should have done," an arrest affidavit quoted Tillotson as saying. "But I loved you. ... And to me, you were worth the risk. ... My life is now in your hands."
Tillotson and the 19-year-old had sex at the karate school on Boca Rio Road and at his home regularly from May 1998 until September 2001, according to police reports.
The karate school in the Marketplace at Hillsboro in Coconut Creek was closed Friday. There was a sign dated Wednesday on the door that said, "School Closed Today Due to Family Emergency."
In the lobby, there are color photos of new karate students on a yellow and orange bulletin board with a "Welcome New Students" sign. Autographed photos of karate champions decorate one of the walls of the studio.
Tillotson offers a $19.95 introductory special that includes two private lessons and a free uniform. Interested participants are told to ask for Mr. T.
Tillotson's attorney could not be reached for comment Friday.
Tillotson has been ordered to stay away from minors as a condition of his bond on charges of three counts of lewd assault and one count of unlawful sexual activity. Tillotson was arrested Tuesday.
A judge on Wednesday ordered Tillotson could be released on $30,000 bond with the condition of house arrest. He also has been ordered to stay away from his alleged victim and other minors, with the exception of those children enrolled in Mr. T's Kenpo Karate.
Tillotson is allowed to teach karate at his Coconut Creek school as long as another certified instructor is present, according to the conditions of his release.
He was released Friday evening.
Staff Researcher Barbara Hijek contributed to this report.
Nancy L. OthM-sn can be reached at [email protected] or 561-243-6633.
Karate Teacher Charged In Sexual Assault Case
December 22, 2001 | By Nancy L. OthM-sn Staff Writer
WEST BOCA Raton — A black belt karate instructor who called himself "Mr. T" has been charged in connection with a three-year sexual relationship with one of his students that began when she was 15 years old.
Richard Tillotson, 42, and the student, now 19, considered themselves to be boyfriend and girlfriend, according to detectives at the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.
They began their relationship in May 1998 and considered May 8 their "anniversary," the student told detectives. The student met Tillotson at Mr. T's Kenpo Karate School on Boca Rio Road, which he moved in October to Coconut Creek.
"The girl started taking lessons when she was 10," said Sheriff's Sgt. Carol Gregg of the special investigations unit. "He cultivated this relationship and things progressed from there."
Sheriff's Detective Gary Chapin said he does not think there are other victims and doesn't think any students were aware of the relationship.
The student moved into Tillotson's home west of Boca Raton earlier this year, Chapin said. After the couple began having problems, the 19-year-old called the Sheriff's Office for assistance in moving out her belongings when Tillotson changed the locks.
"She told the deputy she had been in this relationship since she was 15," Chapin said. "The deputy did the math and let her know she was the victim of a crime. She thought it over awhile and decided to pursue this."
Chapin said Tillotson knew the student had contacted law enforcement authorities about him.
"She explained to him that it was her choice," Chapin said.
Gregg said a tape-recorded telephone conversation between Tillotson and the alleged victim helped detectives make their case.
According his arrest affidavit, Tillotson told the woman on the tape that he would go to jail for 30 years, "because you were under 16."
"You opened a big can of worms here. And it's partially my fault because I did do these things with you. Which I never should have done," an arrest affidavit quoted Tillotson as saying. "But I loved you. ... And to me, you were worth the risk. ... My life is now in your hands."
Tillotson and the 19-year-old had sex at the karate school on Boca Rio Road and at his home regularly from May 1998 until September 2001, according to police reports.
The karate school in the Marketplace at Hillsboro in Coconut Creek was closed Friday. There was a sign dated Wednesday on the door that said, "School Closed Today Due to Family Emergency."
In the lobby, there are color photos of new karate students on a yellow and orange bulletin board with a "Welcome New Students" sign. Autographed photos of karate champions decorate one of the walls of the studio.
Tillotson offers a $19.95 introductory special that includes two private lessons and a free uniform. Interested participants are told to ask for Mr. T.
Tillotson's attorney could not be reached for comment Friday.
Tillotson has been ordered to stay away from minors as a condition of his bond on charges of three counts of lewd assault and one count of unlawful sexual activity. Tillotson was arrested Tuesday.
A judge on Wednesday ordered Tillotson could be released on $30,000 bond with the condition of house arrest. He also has been ordered to stay away from his alleged victim and other minors, with the exception of those children enrolled in Mr. T's Kenpo Karate.
Tillotson is allowed to teach karate at his Coconut Creek school as long as another certified instructor is present, according to the conditions of his release.
He was released Friday evening.
Staff Researcher Barbara Hijek contributed to this report.
Nancy L. OthM-sn can be reached at [email protected] or 561-243-6633.
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KARATE INSTRUCTOR CHARGED IN SEX CASE
Author: Howie Paul Hartnett, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Date: December 22, 2001 Publication: Palm Beach Post, The (FL) Page Number: 3B Word Count: 169
A western Boca Raton karate instructor was arrested and charged with three counts of lewd assault and one count of unlawful sex with a minor Tuesday.
Richard R. Tillotson, 42, of 22037 Aslatic St., was arrested by Palm Beach County sheriff's deputies when he tried to meet with his now 19-year-old victim.
Sheriff's officials said Tillotson taught the victim at his business, T's Kenpo Karate School, Suite A16, 21000 Boca Rio Road, since she was 10
KARATE INSTRUCTOR CHARGED IN SEX CASE
Author: Howie Paul Hartnett, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Date: December 22, 2001 Publication: Palm Beach Post, The (FL) Page Number: 3B Word Count: 169
A western Boca Raton karate instructor was arrested and charged with three counts of lewd assault and one count of unlawful sex with a minor Tuesday.
Richard R. Tillotson, 42, of 22037 Aslatic St., was arrested by Palm Beach County sheriff's deputies when he tried to meet with his now 19-year-old victim.
Sheriff's officials said Tillotson taught the victim at his business, T's Kenpo Karate School, Suite A16, 21000 Boca Rio Road, since she was 10