Former martial arts instructor accused of sex abuse involving 13-year-old student

VANDALIA — A former martial arts instructor has been indicted on 15 charges after he was accused of sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl he taught at the school.

John E. Townsend III, 29, of Vandalia, faces ten counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and five counts of sexual imposition, according to an indictment today.

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Vandalia police first opened its investigation in July after someone reported that they were aware of a sexual assault that they believed happened in the city, according to an incident report.

“The victim’s mother stated she recorded the suspect confessing to the sexual assault,” according to the incident report.

Townsend was a martial arts instructor at the TenBears Martial Arts Academy on Wayne Avenue in Dayton, according to the owner.

“He’s been let go,” TenBears Martial Arts Owner Jim Rosenthal told News Center 7 in July when the investigation started. “Nothing occurred during the school hours.”

Rosenthal said, “nobody saw this coming.”

A warrant has been issued for Townsend’s arrest.

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