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Karate instructor convicted of sexually assaulting boy sentenced to 3 years in prison
City News Service
5:49 AM, Feb 23, 2015
2:09 PM, Feb 24, 2015
Copyright 2014 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
SAN DIEGO - A karate instructor who groomed a teenage student over several years and molested him at his martial arts studio in Tierrasanta was sentenced Monday to three years in state prison and ordered to register as a sex offender for life.
Juan Melesio Flores, 39, was convicted last November of one count of oral copulation on a minor, but jurors deadlocked on 16 other counts involving the victim and another boy.
Superior Court Judge Polly Shamoon sentenced Flores to the maximum term under the law, saying the defendant exhibited planning and lacked remorse for his crime, which happened in 2013 when the victim was 14 and 15. The judge dismissed the unresolved charges on a motion by the prosecutor.
The victim -- who has Asperger syndrome, a developmental disorder affecting ability to effectively socialize and communicate -- said in a letter to the court that the defendant's actions have had a huge impact on his life.
"I cannot trust adult males," the now-16-year-old victim wrote.
He said he is depressed, feels isolated, and even contemplated suicide after he was molested by Flores.
The teen's mother said her son has lost 20 pounds and at times has had to leave school.
Deputy District Attorney Wendy Patrick said the mother took her son to Flores not only for karate, but to learn social skills.
"The victim looked up to the defendant as more than a karate instructor," the prosecutor said outside court. "The victim saw this defendant as a role model, as a mentor and as a father figure. And it is within the context of that level of trust that the defendant exploited the ... vulnerability that this young victim brought."
After Flores' arrest in December 2013, police confiscated his cell phone and found numerous photos of young boys in various stages of undress and some engaging in sexual acts, Patrick told jurors.
Defense attorney Damian Lowe countered that Flores had taught hundreds of karate students, trying to help them with life issues whenever he could.
Flores testified that he would massage students to "loosen them up" and some of them would in turn massage his lower back. He denied that anything sexual ever happened between him and the boys.
Copyright 2015 Scripps Media, Inc. City News Service contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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(link not active, page not found on original server: archive of article shown here below)
Karate instructor convicted of sexually assaulting boy sentenced to 3 years in prison
City News Service
5:49 AM, Feb 23, 2015
2:09 PM, Feb 24, 2015
Copyright 2014 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
SAN DIEGO - A karate instructor who groomed a teenage student over several years and molested him at his martial arts studio in Tierrasanta was sentenced Monday to three years in state prison and ordered to register as a sex offender for life.
Juan Melesio Flores, 39, was convicted last November of one count of oral copulation on a minor, but jurors deadlocked on 16 other counts involving the victim and another boy.
Superior Court Judge Polly Shamoon sentenced Flores to the maximum term under the law, saying the defendant exhibited planning and lacked remorse for his crime, which happened in 2013 when the victim was 14 and 15. The judge dismissed the unresolved charges on a motion by the prosecutor.
The victim -- who has Asperger syndrome, a developmental disorder affecting ability to effectively socialize and communicate -- said in a letter to the court that the defendant's actions have had a huge impact on his life.
"I cannot trust adult males," the now-16-year-old victim wrote.
He said he is depressed, feels isolated, and even contemplated suicide after he was molested by Flores.
The teen's mother said her son has lost 20 pounds and at times has had to leave school.
Deputy District Attorney Wendy Patrick said the mother took her son to Flores not only for karate, but to learn social skills.
"The victim looked up to the defendant as more than a karate instructor," the prosecutor said outside court. "The victim saw this defendant as a role model, as a mentor and as a father figure. And it is within the context of that level of trust that the defendant exploited the ... vulnerability that this young victim brought."
After Flores' arrest in December 2013, police confiscated his cell phone and found numerous photos of young boys in various stages of undress and some engaging in sexual acts, Patrick told jurors.
Defense attorney Damian Lowe countered that Flores had taught hundreds of karate students, trying to help them with life issues whenever he could.
Flores testified that he would massage students to "loosen them up" and some of them would in turn massage his lower back. He denied that anything sexual ever happened between him and the boys.
Copyright 2015 Scripps Media, Inc. City News Service contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Print this article Back to Top
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Karate-Instructor-Juan-Flores-Arrested-for-Child-Molestation--237083841.html
Karate Instructor Accused of Child Molestation
Juan Melesio Flores, 38, teaches at Z-Ultimate Studio in Tierrasanta
By Christina London and Megan Tevrizian
| Tuesday, Dec 24, 2013 | Updated 12:27 PM PST
Source: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Karate-Instructor-Juan-Flores-Arrested-for-Child-Molestation--237083841.html#ixzz2ojXnMKbd
Karate instructor Juan Flores, 38, is accused of molesting two boys at the studio where he taught. Police say there could be more victims. NBC 7’s Candice Nguyen reports.
Photos and Videos
Karate Instructor Accused of Child Molestation
A popular instructor at a local karate studio has been arrested on suspicion of child molestation. Juan Melesio Flores is accused of inappropriate acts with two male students. NBC 7's Megan Tevrizian has reaction from one longtime student.
4pmMeganKarate_1200x675_99009603562.jpg ¬
Karate
Instructor Accused of...
More Photos and Videos
An instructor at a karate studio in Tierrasanta has been arrested for child molestation.
Juan Melesio Flores, 38, is charged with 15 felony counts, including lewd acts with a child and oral copulation, according to Deputy District Attorney Wendy Patrick.
Flores is co-owner and lead instructor at Z-Ultimate Studio in the 10600 block of Tierrasanta Blvd. He was arrested outside the studio last Thursday.
According to San Diego police, an investigation started last week after one male student came forward. This led investigators to another possible victim. The two boys apparently do not know each other.
Patrick says the alleged abuse took place between 2012 and Dec. 2013 at the studio, or dojo.
“They did things like ‘Ninja Nights,’ where lots of the kids would sleep over and play video games all night at the dojo," Patrick said. "As they spent time together, what happened, this defendant would make advances toward these two victims.”
Patrick says Flores knew the two boys for years and that their relationships escalated from being "good friends, to massages, to oral copulation."
Classes took place as usual on Monday at Z-Ultimate Studio. One longtime student, who calls Flores "a role model," says he's shocked by the allegations.
“I’ve known him since I was 14 years old. I’m 23 years old now. He’s always been a fatherly figure to me," Steven Lundberg said. "I’ve never had any inclination anything like this would have been happening. My whole life, he’s been there for me."
Flores pleaded not guilty to the charges during a court appearance Monday afternoon. Despite his defense attorney's argument that Flores is not a flight risk and very involved in the community, the judge set bond at $350,000.
“Our concern at this point is we have two victims. Worse case scenario, there are additional victims," Police Lt. Chuck Kaye said. "We want to make sure the public is aware of the arrest."
Anyone with additional information is asked to call the police department's Sex Crimes Unit at 619-531-2210.
Follow NBC 7 for the latest news, weather, and events: iPad App | iPhone App |Android App | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Instagram | RSS | Text Alerts | Email Alerts
Source: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Karate-Instructor-Juan-Flores-Arrested-for-Child-Molestation--237083841.html#ixzz2ojXrY3ld
Karate Instructor Accused of Child Molestation
Juan Melesio Flores, 38, teaches at Z-Ultimate Studio in Tierrasanta
By Christina London and Megan Tevrizian
| Tuesday, Dec 24, 2013 | Updated 12:27 PM PST
Source: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Karate-Instructor-Juan-Flores-Arrested-for-Child-Molestation--237083841.html#ixzz2ojXnMKbd
Karate instructor Juan Flores, 38, is accused of molesting two boys at the studio where he taught. Police say there could be more victims. NBC 7’s Candice Nguyen reports.
Photos and Videos
Karate Instructor Accused of Child Molestation
A popular instructor at a local karate studio has been arrested on suspicion of child molestation. Juan Melesio Flores is accused of inappropriate acts with two male students. NBC 7's Megan Tevrizian has reaction from one longtime student.
4pmMeganKarate_1200x675_99009603562.jpg ¬
Karate
Instructor Accused of...
More Photos and Videos
An instructor at a karate studio in Tierrasanta has been arrested for child molestation.
Juan Melesio Flores, 38, is charged with 15 felony counts, including lewd acts with a child and oral copulation, according to Deputy District Attorney Wendy Patrick.
Flores is co-owner and lead instructor at Z-Ultimate Studio in the 10600 block of Tierrasanta Blvd. He was arrested outside the studio last Thursday.
According to San Diego police, an investigation started last week after one male student came forward. This led investigators to another possible victim. The two boys apparently do not know each other.
Patrick says the alleged abuse took place between 2012 and Dec. 2013 at the studio, or dojo.
“They did things like ‘Ninja Nights,’ where lots of the kids would sleep over and play video games all night at the dojo," Patrick said. "As they spent time together, what happened, this defendant would make advances toward these two victims.”
Patrick says Flores knew the two boys for years and that their relationships escalated from being "good friends, to massages, to oral copulation."
Classes took place as usual on Monday at Z-Ultimate Studio. One longtime student, who calls Flores "a role model," says he's shocked by the allegations.
“I’ve known him since I was 14 years old. I’m 23 years old now. He’s always been a fatherly figure to me," Steven Lundberg said. "I’ve never had any inclination anything like this would have been happening. My whole life, he’s been there for me."
Flores pleaded not guilty to the charges during a court appearance Monday afternoon. Despite his defense attorney's argument that Flores is not a flight risk and very involved in the community, the judge set bond at $350,000.
“Our concern at this point is we have two victims. Worse case scenario, there are additional victims," Police Lt. Chuck Kaye said. "We want to make sure the public is aware of the arrest."
Anyone with additional information is asked to call the police department's Sex Crimes Unit at 619-531-2210.
Follow NBC 7 for the latest news, weather, and events: iPad App | iPhone App |Android App | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Instagram | RSS | Text Alerts | Email Alerts
Source: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Karate-Instructor-Juan-Flores-Arrested-for-Child-Molestation--237083841.html#ixzz2ojXrY3ld