A Georgia community came out to support a Taekwondo instructor accused of sexually assaulting a student.
Robert “Tony” Young is facing four counts of child molestation, enticing a child for indecent purposes and solicitation of sodomy in connection with an incident two weeks ago.
But though the 59-year-old allegedly showed a 15-year-old pornographic material, about 50 members of the community showed their support Thursday in a Troup County courthouse, according to Channel 2 Action News.
Students and parents described Young as a caring and spiritual man who works well with kids, but a detective said Young laid on top of a 15-year-old at his LaGrange apartment.
Young told police he was “practicing a defensive tactic,” Channel 2 reported.
Parks and Recreation told Channel 2 they’ve never had any similar allegations or complaints from students about Young, but in court police said they’ve recently been contacted by possible other victims.
One victim described an encounter with Young that happened almost 30 years ago, when she was 13 and he was in his twenties.
The judge granted Young a $120,000 bond and his attorney promises to fight the charges at trial.
About the Author
