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Thursday, March 09, 2017

Martial Arts Instructor Pleads Guilty To Sex Abuse Of Teen

SALISBURY, Md. (AP) — A former Salisbury martial arts instructor accused of sexually assaulting several female students has pleaded guilty in one of the cases.

News outlets report 26-year-old Zachariah Justice Bennett pleaded guilty in Worcester County on Tuesday to one count of sex abuse involving a 13-year-old girl, who was one of his students, at Jolly Roger Amusement Park in Ocean City last year.

On Wednesday, Bennett is scheduled to face more than 20 sexually-related charges in Wicomico County. Investigators said Bennett used his position to sexually abuse three teenage girls who attended Mitchell’s Martial Arts in Salisbury.

Bennett’s co-worker, 21-year-old Leah Corinn Wright, is facing similar charges in that case. She’s accused of joining in some sex acts with Bennett and a victim.

Bennett’s attorney couldn’t be reached for comment.

Source

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

He's going to need those martial arts skills in prison when the other inmates find out what he's in for

Anonymous said...

who in their right mind decides to ruin their lives to have sex with a 13 year old ? what is the thought process ?

Anonymous said...

How could Mitchell's not have any clue about this?

Anonymous said...

The event in Ocean City happened during a Mitchell's martial art field trip on one of the vans they pick up their afterschool kids in. The three girls in Wicomico county happened in their facility. The last time one of their instructors was arrested they are big defense was it never happened in their facility. Funny how now that it does they still take no responsibility. One of the girls confided In Leah Wright that her boyfriend was pressuring her to have sex. Instead of talking to her in the parents she talked to Zack. He then started flirting with her overtime to set her up so they both could rape her in Mitchell's martial arts. My question is why is this place still in business? I am so glad I took my kids out of that facility. I had a very bad feeling being in there. I'm glad I used my motherly intuition and hope people are smart enough in the future to not bring your children to that place.

Anonymous said...

They obviously know some good ole boy DAs and judges ?????????

Anonymous said...

There are more victims out there, speak up! Put an end to this evil and get help.

Anonymous said...

This is horrible. A martial arts teacher abusing his position is one of the worst infractions of human existence because in the art the student is to respect their shidoshi without question. Trust between student and teacher is paramount. For this sick perv to use this to satiate his sexual perversion is beyond sickening and has probably screwed up those kids for life. They'll never fully trust any authority person again because of him and his sicko partner in crime. There should be stiffer sentences in situations such as these because the damage is immeasurable on the victim. I knew a woman whose shidoshi did this to her and she ended up committing suicide in her twenties after having many run-ins with the law. Not saying all will have her fate but it certainly showed me how the wounds are deep with this type of molestation. Hopefully prison justice will go to some yard to even the score but for his victims nothing will silent their inner thoughts.

Anonymous said...

He will need his martial arts skills in prison. With his looks and youth, he will be everyone's prom date in prison! Sex offenders are usually treated the worst in prison. He best chance for surviving is to go into solitary confinement during his stay. Be careful in the showers and don't bend over if you drop a bar of soap!

Anonymous said...

That martial arts place is owned by the guy that does firearms training to get a permit to carry isn't it? Goes by his initials instead of first name. Tangled web of connections to LEO esp the little guy.

Anonymous said...

7:46 That is the correct question. Most times when this activity is going on in an organization it is condoned from the top down. There is a culture of sexual heat present. It is a joke...a cultural punch line, a wink, a dirty comment. Even if the owner didn't know this was going on in HIS/HER workplace WHY. If you are charged with the after school protection of children how could you NOT know this is happening within YOUR business when YOUR business is protecting children.
NO DOUBT ABOUT IT...my child would NOT be in a place with this history!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

There is something in his past that happen before the age of 18. I wish someone would do some digging into what happened to his fathers house keeper.This Is the owner RS I'm talking about.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for posting this Joe. I honestly did not believe you were going to do it. You have proven me wrong and I apologize for saying you were just covering for these owners.

Anonymous said...

Castrate this POS!! Hope enjoys sex in prison. Do't bend over for the soap when in the shower!! He needs to be subjected to the same thing he subjected his victims to!!