NJ Martial Arts Instructor George Mendoza-Valentino Admits To Having Sex With Underage Student
ELIZABETH, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) - A man who was an instructor at a northern New Jersey martial arts academy has admitted he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old student on multiple occasions.
George Mendoza-Valentino, of Saddle Brook, pleaded guilty to second-degree sexual assault.
Union County prosecutors say the 28-year-old met the girl when she enrolled at the A.T.A. Martial Arts Academy in Springfield and sent the girl sexually explicit images and videos. He also requested the same from her.
Mendoza-Valentino remains held on $125,000.
He'll face up to 10 years in prison when he's sentenced on Feb. 20.
"I can't believe that. I've seen him in the dojo teaching the children and I've never seen anything like that between his behavior to the children," Springfield Township resident Heyward Barr told CBS2's Dave Carlin in November 2014.
Merchants with stores on the same block as the dojo told CBS2 in November 2014 that Mendoza-Valentino has worked there for several years, seems to be very outgoing and had a steady girlfriend.
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