http://www.themonitor.com/news/local/article_d9770b46-fba0-5efd-9b31-7ab1206f5cd3.html
Police: Martial arts instructor sexually assaulted student
Posted: Friday, February 18, 2011 12:00 am | Updated: 12:56 pm, Wed Jun 19, 2013.
Naxiely Lopez
McALLEN — A martial arts instructor is facing charges of indecency with a child and sexual assault after allegedly beginning an inappropriate relationship with one of his students.
McAllen Wushu School instructor Felipe Ramon Corona, 27, was arrested Thursday — two days after police learned about the alleged relationship, according to a criminal complaint from the McAllen Police Department.
The victim, who is under the age of 17, made an outcry after her mother found a text message from Corona in her daughter’s cell phone that tipped her off about the alleged relationship, the document states. The child told police the instructor slowly wooed her for several years until they began meeting at the school, 2200 W. Trenton Road, on Saturday and Sunday mornings when it was closed.
The instructor allegedly began complimenting the student before the relationship became physical, police said. The victim also told officers Corona said he loved her and wanted to get married. At one point, Corona also stated he wanted to leave with her, the complaint states.
The school’s owner and instructor Lena Madrid, however, finds the allegations difficult to believe.
“I was there 24 hours a day,” she said, “and it was highly unlikely.”
Madrid said she teaches all of the children, except for a small group of teenagers. Corona taught that group and all of the adults.
“This is a devastating blow,” Madrid said. “I know the instructor. I know him very well. I know the job we did, and I know the kids.”
A public records search revealed Corona does not have a criminal record.
“Up to now I’ve gotten a hundred calls — both from parents and students — and not one of them has been a negative comment,” Madrid said. “They are all supportive, which should say something, and they are all in disbelief.”
Wushu’s owner worried about the repercussions the case could have on the school and the children.
“I love the school and I love my students, and I don’t want to let them down,” Madrid said. “And if they want to — and only if they want to — I will keep going.
“And if not, it’s OK. They just need to let me know and I will close it immediately.”
In October, an 11-year-old student of the school represented the United States in the 2010 Pan American Wushu Championships and brought back two gold medals from Argentina.
“It’s a great school,” Madrid said. “I would hate for the school to take on the reputation for something that it’s not. You can’t blame an entity for what somebody does or doesn’t do.”
The school will remain closed until Monday, she said. Madrid will then make a decision on what action she will take depending on what her students and parents have to say.
“We’re a small school, and we’ll probably be an even smaller school come next month, but we’re going to keep trying,” she said. “I don’t want to let anyone down, and I don’t want to quit.”
Corona was arraigned Thursday on the two second-degree felonies and was assessed a bond totaling $300,000. If convicted, he could face between two and 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
____
Naxiely Lopez covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4434.
Police: Martial arts instructor sexually assaulted student
Posted: Friday, February 18, 2011 12:00 am | Updated: 12:56 pm, Wed Jun 19, 2013.
Naxiely Lopez
McALLEN — A martial arts instructor is facing charges of indecency with a child and sexual assault after allegedly beginning an inappropriate relationship with one of his students.
McAllen Wushu School instructor Felipe Ramon Corona, 27, was arrested Thursday — two days after police learned about the alleged relationship, according to a criminal complaint from the McAllen Police Department.
The victim, who is under the age of 17, made an outcry after her mother found a text message from Corona in her daughter’s cell phone that tipped her off about the alleged relationship, the document states. The child told police the instructor slowly wooed her for several years until they began meeting at the school, 2200 W. Trenton Road, on Saturday and Sunday mornings when it was closed.
The instructor allegedly began complimenting the student before the relationship became physical, police said. The victim also told officers Corona said he loved her and wanted to get married. At one point, Corona also stated he wanted to leave with her, the complaint states.
The school’s owner and instructor Lena Madrid, however, finds the allegations difficult to believe.
“I was there 24 hours a day,” she said, “and it was highly unlikely.”
Madrid said she teaches all of the children, except for a small group of teenagers. Corona taught that group and all of the adults.
“This is a devastating blow,” Madrid said. “I know the instructor. I know him very well. I know the job we did, and I know the kids.”
A public records search revealed Corona does not have a criminal record.
“Up to now I’ve gotten a hundred calls — both from parents and students — and not one of them has been a negative comment,” Madrid said. “They are all supportive, which should say something, and they are all in disbelief.”
Wushu’s owner worried about the repercussions the case could have on the school and the children.
“I love the school and I love my students, and I don’t want to let them down,” Madrid said. “And if they want to — and only if they want to — I will keep going.
“And if not, it’s OK. They just need to let me know and I will close it immediately.”
In October, an 11-year-old student of the school represented the United States in the 2010 Pan American Wushu Championships and brought back two gold medals from Argentina.
“It’s a great school,” Madrid said. “I would hate for the school to take on the reputation for something that it’s not. You can’t blame an entity for what somebody does or doesn’t do.”
The school will remain closed until Monday, she said. Madrid will then make a decision on what action she will take depending on what her students and parents have to say.
“We’re a small school, and we’ll probably be an even smaller school come next month, but we’re going to keep trying,” she said. “I don’t want to let anyone down, and I don’t want to quit.”
Corona was arraigned Thursday on the two second-degree felonies and was assessed a bond totaling $300,000. If convicted, he could face between two and 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
____
Naxiely Lopez covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4434.
http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=582924#.Uv58kLRIqpo
Kung Fu instructor jailed in McAllen sex abuse case
by Katie Lopez
Posted: 02.18.2011 at 1:31 PM
Updated: 02.18.2011 at 6:20 PM
Read more: Local, Crime, Felipe Corona, Kung Fu Instructor, Kung Fu, Martial Arts, Mcallen Police Department, Mcallen, Hidalgo County, Rio Grande Valley, Texas
It was just a couple of days ago that 'Ramon' discovered his daughter had been corresponding with her Kung Fu instructor Felipe Ramon Corona.
'Ramon' said the e-mails and text messages were less than innocent.
Repoter: What kind of messages did you see?"
Ramon: "They said, you made my night babe."
Ramon said he immediately confronted his 16-year-old daughter.
"We questioned her and she tried to deny anything was going on," Ramon said. "After doing more research and more questioning she said that he was sexually pursuing her."
Ramon said he never imagined he would be put into this situation.
He told Action 4 News he trusted Felipe Corona---even going as far as thinking of Corona as a close friend.
Ramon said his daughter has been taking lessons with Corona since she was 10 years old.
He said, to find out that Corona was allegedly sexually pursuing his little girl is hard to swallow.
"It's very disappointing that he saw my children grow up and he still took advantage of her," Ramon said.
Action 4 News went to Wushu, the martial arts school Corona owns in North McAllen, the doors were locked and there was note left on the door that read:
"Due to an immediate family emergency all classes will be suspended today."
A message on the school's facebook page said the school would be closed on Friday and Saturday for the Lonestar Championships.
Classes resume on Monday but it's not clear if Corona would attend the championships or be at the school next week.
Despite that note, McAllen police told Action 4 News that Corona was arrested Thursday and charged with one count of indecency with a child and one count of sexual assault of a child.
His bond was set a $300,000.
Kung Fu instructor jailed in McAllen sex abuse case
by Katie Lopez
Posted: 02.18.2011 at 1:31 PM
Updated: 02.18.2011 at 6:20 PM
Read more: Local, Crime, Felipe Corona, Kung Fu Instructor, Kung Fu, Martial Arts, Mcallen Police Department, Mcallen, Hidalgo County, Rio Grande Valley, Texas
It was just a couple of days ago that 'Ramon' discovered his daughter had been corresponding with her Kung Fu instructor Felipe Ramon Corona.
'Ramon' said the e-mails and text messages were less than innocent.
Repoter: What kind of messages did you see?"
Ramon: "They said, you made my night babe."
Ramon said he immediately confronted his 16-year-old daughter.
"We questioned her and she tried to deny anything was going on," Ramon said. "After doing more research and more questioning she said that he was sexually pursuing her."
Ramon said he never imagined he would be put into this situation.
He told Action 4 News he trusted Felipe Corona---even going as far as thinking of Corona as a close friend.
Ramon said his daughter has been taking lessons with Corona since she was 10 years old.
He said, to find out that Corona was allegedly sexually pursuing his little girl is hard to swallow.
"It's very disappointing that he saw my children grow up and he still took advantage of her," Ramon said.
Action 4 News went to Wushu, the martial arts school Corona owns in North McAllen, the doors were locked and there was note left on the door that read:
"Due to an immediate family emergency all classes will be suspended today."
A message on the school's facebook page said the school would be closed on Friday and Saturday for the Lonestar Championships.
Classes resume on Monday but it's not clear if Corona would attend the championships or be at the school next week.
Despite that note, McAllen police told Action 4 News that Corona was arrested Thursday and charged with one count of indecency with a child and one count of sexual assault of a child.
His bond was set a $300,000.