http://www.wftv.com/news/news/karate-instructor-gets-40-years-for-having-sex-wit/nJjr9/
(link not active, page not found on original server: archive of article shown here below)
Updated: 5:49 p.m. Thursday, March 27, 2008 |
Posted: 3:45 p.m. Thursday, March 27, 2008
Karate Instructor Gets 40 Years For Having Sex With Teen Student
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. --
The sentence was handed down Thursday for a former karate instructor in Kissimmee who took advantage of one of his students. Bradley Knight will spend 40 years behind bars for molesting one of his students.
There's a feeling among those close to the victim that 40 years is not enough, which is why prosecutors said they'll take the former karate teacher to trial up to five more times.
Convicted child molester Bradley Knight admitted his guilt, although he did remain somewhat defiant.
"Your honor, I'm sorry for what I've done in this case. I did not do all the things I've been accused of, but I did act inappropriately," he said Thursday.
The former karate instructor was convicted of having sex with a 15-year-old female student. It happened at least twice in Knight's Kissimmee karate school, Tiger's Den Karate Studio, in July 2006.
"Mr. Knight was a predator in every respect in this relationship," said Judge Jon Morgan.
Judge Morgan sentenced the 37-year-old Knight to 40 years in prison, but prosecutors do not believe that's enough time behind bars.
"This was not some sophisticated, worldly girl. She was a 15-year-old child," said prosecutor Sarah Hatch.
The victim is now 17. Prosecutors said she is one of at least five young girls Knight exploited. She was in the courtroom when Knight apologized.
"I'm sorry for the hurt I've caused this young lady and I apologize to her," Knight said.
Prosecutors said Knight will remain in the Osceola County jail until his next trial in 11 days.
Previous Stories: February 6, 2008: Jury Gets Molestation Case, Accused Karate Instructor Doesn't Testify February 6, 2008: Molestation Case Against Karate Instructor Could Go To Jury Wednesday February 6, 2008: Girl Testifies About Alleged Relationship With Karate Instructor February 6, 2008: Trial To Begin For Karate Instructor Accused Of Child Molestation March 9, 2007: Wife Of Accused Karate Instructor Now Facing Charges Herself February 20, 2007: Karate Teacher Accused Of Molesting Students Has Pre-Trial Hearing December 4, 2006: Parents Speak About Accused Kissimmee Molestor October 23, 2006: Jailed Karate Instructor Now Facing More Than 300 Charges October 23, 2006: Three More Alleged Victims Say Karate Teacher Molested Them October 16, 2006: Kissimmee Karate Instructor Now Facing Over 200 Charges October 5, 2006: Osceola County Karate Instructor Faces New Charges
(link not active, page not found on original server: archive of article shown here below)
Updated: 5:49 p.m. Thursday, March 27, 2008 |
Posted: 3:45 p.m. Thursday, March 27, 2008
Karate Instructor Gets 40 Years For Having Sex With Teen Student
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. --
The sentence was handed down Thursday for a former karate instructor in Kissimmee who took advantage of one of his students. Bradley Knight will spend 40 years behind bars for molesting one of his students.
There's a feeling among those close to the victim that 40 years is not enough, which is why prosecutors said they'll take the former karate teacher to trial up to five more times.
Convicted child molester Bradley Knight admitted his guilt, although he did remain somewhat defiant.
"Your honor, I'm sorry for what I've done in this case. I did not do all the things I've been accused of, but I did act inappropriately," he said Thursday.
The former karate instructor was convicted of having sex with a 15-year-old female student. It happened at least twice in Knight's Kissimmee karate school, Tiger's Den Karate Studio, in July 2006.
"Mr. Knight was a predator in every respect in this relationship," said Judge Jon Morgan.
Judge Morgan sentenced the 37-year-old Knight to 40 years in prison, but prosecutors do not believe that's enough time behind bars.
"This was not some sophisticated, worldly girl. She was a 15-year-old child," said prosecutor Sarah Hatch.
The victim is now 17. Prosecutors said she is one of at least five young girls Knight exploited. She was in the courtroom when Knight apologized.
"I'm sorry for the hurt I've caused this young lady and I apologize to her," Knight said.
Prosecutors said Knight will remain in the Osceola County jail until his next trial in 11 days.
Previous Stories: February 6, 2008: Jury Gets Molestation Case, Accused Karate Instructor Doesn't Testify February 6, 2008: Molestation Case Against Karate Instructor Could Go To Jury Wednesday February 6, 2008: Girl Testifies About Alleged Relationship With Karate Instructor February 6, 2008: Trial To Begin For Karate Instructor Accused Of Child Molestation March 9, 2007: Wife Of Accused Karate Instructor Now Facing Charges Herself February 20, 2007: Karate Teacher Accused Of Molesting Students Has Pre-Trial Hearing December 4, 2006: Parents Speak About Accused Kissimmee Molestor October 23, 2006: Jailed Karate Instructor Now Facing More Than 300 Charges October 23, 2006: Three More Alleged Victims Say Karate Teacher Molested Them October 16, 2006: Kissimmee Karate Instructor Now Facing Over 200 Charges October 5, 2006: Osceola County Karate Instructor Faces New Charges
http://www.wftv.com/news/news/kissimmee-karate-instructor-now-facing-over-200-ch/nD9dk/
(link not active, page not found on original server: archive of article shown here below)
Updated: 6:18 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16, 2006 | Posted: 11:34 a.m. Monday, Oct. 16, 2006
Kissimmee Karate Instructor Now Facing Over 200 Charges
KISSIMMEE, Fla. --
An Osceola County karate instructor is facing more than 200 new charges of sex crimes against children and Eyewitness News has learned even more charges could be filed after police interview three more children.
Bradley Knight's wife and 18-year-old son continue to run the karate school, though Knight himself sits in jail. Many of the 214 additional charges Knight faces stem from what allegedly happened inside, yet some parents continue to send their children.
Customers loyal to the Knight family are keeping the Tiger's Den Karate Academy in Kissimmee in business, despite the serious charges instructor Bradley Knight faces.
Knight was arrested for the second time October 4, after investigators said he had molested a student under 12. The 36-year-old was first arrested in August for having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl.
Since the case went public, more victims have come forward.
"We're not sure why no one had come out with this previously, if it has been occurring over the last several years," said Twis Lizasuain, Osceola County Sheriff's Office.
Email News Sign-Up Multiple Choices - Auto sign-up (LEFT ALIGN) GET WFTV NEWS HEADLINES BY EMAIL 9 a.m. Headlines Noon Headlines 4 p.m. Headlines News of the Strange Breaking News Alerts The latest additional charges, 214 of them, involve the younger girl that prompted the arrest earlier this month. According to this report, the molestation went on for two to three years and started when the girl was just nine.
Much of the alleged molestation happened inside Knight's office, where he repeatedly made her undress, eventually raped her and even showed her pornographic photos on his computer.
"Bradley Knight was put in a position of trust and supervised kids, sometimes alone, and abused them and that's shocking and disturbing to detectives," Lizasuain said.
After each alleged incident involving the youngest victim, Knight would apologize and tell the girl not to tell anyone or he would go to jail.
Jail is exactly where Knight is now facing charges. But the case is far from over, with investigators now questioning three more potential victims.
There are seven alleged victims so far, but statute of limitation ran out on two victims, because the abuse happened when they were much younger.
Detectives said Knight ran after-school programs, where he sometimes supervised the children alone. He took some of his students to Japan for karate competitions.
Following Knight's first arrest, police said, he arranged a sleep over at the karate school planned for later this month. It appears to have been canceled.
(link not active, page not found on original server: archive of article shown here below)
Updated: 6:18 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16, 2006 | Posted: 11:34 a.m. Monday, Oct. 16, 2006
Kissimmee Karate Instructor Now Facing Over 200 Charges
KISSIMMEE, Fla. --
An Osceola County karate instructor is facing more than 200 new charges of sex crimes against children and Eyewitness News has learned even more charges could be filed after police interview three more children.
Bradley Knight's wife and 18-year-old son continue to run the karate school, though Knight himself sits in jail. Many of the 214 additional charges Knight faces stem from what allegedly happened inside, yet some parents continue to send their children.
Customers loyal to the Knight family are keeping the Tiger's Den Karate Academy in Kissimmee in business, despite the serious charges instructor Bradley Knight faces.
Knight was arrested for the second time October 4, after investigators said he had molested a student under 12. The 36-year-old was first arrested in August for having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl.
Since the case went public, more victims have come forward.
"We're not sure why no one had come out with this previously, if it has been occurring over the last several years," said Twis Lizasuain, Osceola County Sheriff's Office.
Email News Sign-Up Multiple Choices - Auto sign-up (LEFT ALIGN) GET WFTV NEWS HEADLINES BY EMAIL 9 a.m. Headlines Noon Headlines 4 p.m. Headlines News of the Strange Breaking News Alerts The latest additional charges, 214 of them, involve the younger girl that prompted the arrest earlier this month. According to this report, the molestation went on for two to three years and started when the girl was just nine.
Much of the alleged molestation happened inside Knight's office, where he repeatedly made her undress, eventually raped her and even showed her pornographic photos on his computer.
"Bradley Knight was put in a position of trust and supervised kids, sometimes alone, and abused them and that's shocking and disturbing to detectives," Lizasuain said.
After each alleged incident involving the youngest victim, Knight would apologize and tell the girl not to tell anyone or he would go to jail.
Jail is exactly where Knight is now facing charges. But the case is far from over, with investigators now questioning three more potential victims.
There are seven alleged victims so far, but statute of limitation ran out on two victims, because the abuse happened when they were much younger.
Detectives said Knight ran after-school programs, where he sometimes supervised the children alone. He took some of his students to Japan for karate competitions.
Following Knight's first arrest, police said, he arranged a sleep over at the karate school planned for later this month. It appears to have been canceled.