South Side Dance Studio Owner Charged With Raping Girl, Recording Assaults Denied Bond
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The owner of an Avalon Park dance studio has been charged with sexual assault and child pornography, for allegedly raping a 16-year-old student and recording the assaults for more than a year. Chicago police said they are exploring the possibility there might be more victims.
Maurice Fulson, 44, was arrested Wednesday afternoon in the Loop, and charged with two felony counts of criminal sexual assault, and two felony counts of child pornography, according to police.
UPDATE 9:00 p.m.
Maurice Fulson appeared before a bond judge Friday where the judge denied him bail. Police say it is possible other victims could come forward.
Some of the dance students planning to dance in the Bud Billiken Parade Saturday are not letting the allegations regarding their dance instructor change their plans. Their performance in the parade will go on as scheduled.
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The owner of an Avalon Park dance studio has been charged with sexual assault and child pornography, for allegedly raping a 16-year-old student and recording the assaults for more than a year. Chicago police said they are exploring the possibility there might be more victims.
Maurice Fulson, 44, was arrested Wednesday afternoon in the Loop, and charged with two felony counts of criminal sexual assault, and two felony counts of child pornography, according to police.
Detectives determined Fulson repeatedly sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl starting in June 2016, and continuing through December 2017. Fulson allegedly recorded the assaults and "stored them on electronic devices," police said.
According to Chicago police, Fulson is the owner of a dance studio on the 1700 block of East 87th Street. However, police did not say if that is where the assaults occurred.
In 2001, Fulson faced 21 felony counts of sexual assault, but was found not guilty. Chicago Public Schools confirmed while the 44-year-old was not an employee, he taught after school dance classes at least three times, adding they were unaware of any allegations from his instruction.
"We understand the seriousness of these allegations, however, we ask that you respect the privacy of all persons involved and their families," the board of directors of the dance studio said in a statement.
Fulson, of the West Pullman neighborhood, was due to appear in bond court on Friday.