Martial Arts Instructor Allegedly Sexually Assaulted Student
Owner of Lower Macungie facility is accused of improper contact for an extended period, police say.
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An instructor at a Lower Macungie Township martial arts studio has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a female student over an "extended period of time."
Shahrokh Mehrkar, who police said teaches at and owns O2 Oxyfit Gym and Martial Arts Studio, was arrested following a criminal investigation, according to state police at Fogelsville. The female student, who is now 15, began classes at the 6480 Alburtis Road facility when she was 12.
The sexual contact began during training sessions, police said, and extended at the facility after classes. The report suggests a period for offenses between April 2009 and May 2011. Mehrkar was the girl's instructor.
Mehrkar was committed to Lehigh County Prison under $75,000 bail on a charge of indecent assault, police said.
Police ask that anyone with information contact Trooper Gregg Dietz or Cpl. James Bruchak at 610-395-1438.
In This article
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02 Oxyfit Gym & Martial Arts Dojo
6480 Alburtis Rd, Macungie, PA -
Pennsylvania State Police Troop M Fogelsville Barracks
8320 Schantz Rd, Breinigsville, PA
Sheriffchris
4:08 pm on Friday, September 16, 2011
TRUST NO ONE WITH YOUR CHILDREN AND YOU WILL NEVER FACE THIS HORROR
M Miller
11:51 pm on Saturday, September 17, 2011
He is no longer affiliated with oxyfit, he has been gone since early summer. Please check all the facts before posting an article that could cause serious harm to a local business owned by respectable people of this community.
Fred
9:02 am on Sunday, September 18, 2011
Agreed! Because the first thing that will now come to many people's mind is the original accusation and association to Oxyfit, not the "correction" stuck in a tiny space in the next day's news!
Mariella Savidge
9:35 am on Sunday, September 18, 2011
In this case, no correction is necessary. The Pennsylvania State Police at Fogelsville is the official source for this information. If, in the course of the PSP investigation it is discovered that these are not the facts, Patch will report that, as well.
Advantage Chauffeur Services
11:00 am on Sunday, September 18, 2011
Terrible, ... if he was an instructor there then this has eveything to do with the gym! It was not just a one time thing, ... it was going on for a period of time! ..... I feel so bad for the girl, ...... I'm NOT placing blame on the girls mother, ... but as a mother myself I could never just drop my children off for classes doing ANYTHING without me staying there to observe. This however dosn't make him any less of a scum bag! .... really it's scary to think what this world has come to, .... you can't trust anyone anymore.
M Miller
7:37 pm on Sunday, September 18, 2011
My point is that there are new owners now. He is not there anymore!
M Miller
10:37 am on Monday, September 19, 2011
Please check back with the state police they have retracted their initial statement that he is the current owner. He is the owner of Amma dojo in Trexlertown, check out their pictures on fb he is there.
D Sullivan
4:32 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
As a longtime journalist I have to agree that this is irresponsible reporting. I saw the story and original Sept. 17 comment pointing out that the accused is no longer affiliated with the gym and had assumed it would be corrected by now. This is truly a tragic story. That is no excuse for poor reporting.
Kate Polazki
10:32 am on Friday, September 23, 2011
I was checking out a number of schools and I had heard rumors about this guy. He was thrown out of Oxyfit for a number of reasons including innapropriate beahavior and not paying his bills. He is now the owner of American Mixed Martial Arts Dojo in Trexlertown. AMMA Dojo in Trexlertown by the walmart.
Parents beware!
Mr.Matt
4:18 pm on Saturday, September 24, 2011
How many times since the Oxifits' been in business has ownership changed ? just wondering
kelly
6:10 pm on Monday, September 26, 2011
Who is the new owner/s? I was planning on joining the gym until I saw the article in the morning call. If there truely are new owners- and the new owner isn't his wife - I will go and join.
M Miller
10:00 pm on Monday, September 26, 2011
Call oxyfit, they will confirm he is not in any way affiliated with them, nor is any family member of his. You should join it is a great place to work out! 610-391-0040
3g0812
7:55 am on Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Have to wonder...Why was the girl there after classes? Where were her parents? I used to be a member of Oxy Fit and remember the classes taking place while I worked out at the gym. The classes are in plain view and when you are taking karate or mixed martial arts, there WILL BE body contact. For one, I would never just leave my 12, 13, or, 14 year old by themselves at class and I would NEVER leave them there outside of class hours. What if there was an injury and I had to intervene? I hope there is a thorough investigation and that all the FACTS come to light.
Patty
4:28 pm on Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Hi 3g0812
I had both my 13 year old daughter there and my 11 year old son. I had to pull my 13 year out because he verbally abused and humiliated her repeatedly, in the name of "discipline". I am a teacher, and I KNOW you do not teach a child through humiliation. I also pulled my son out shortly thereafter because this sick bastard bit him on his thigh during class. He had a bruise and a raised welt clearly showing the bitemark for 2 weeks afterward and also had recurring nightmares of being chased by a werewolf. This guy needs to be behind bars for a LONG time.
And PLEASE do NOT blame anyone other than the "alleged" perpetrator. By placing blame on the victims you exhonerate the crime.
kelly
8:03 am on Tuesday, September 27, 2011
You know who is responsible- the pervert that did this- not the child, not the child's parents.
gregs
9:38 pm on Sunday, October 2, 2011
Anything new on this story? Is he the owner of amma dojo in trexlertown? Or is this a case innocent until proven guilty?
Susan
7:36 am on Friday, October 14, 2011
I think so, but apparently the father is not there.The sensi is the 24 yr old son and the kids seem to love it. It is also very well in the open for the parents to see, and seen well from the outside.
M Miller
7:53 am on Friday, October 14, 2011
Amma dojo has a Facebook page and his pictures are on it, he may not be the sensi but he is around, I would not allow my daughter there , is it worth the risk....
roseann erb
12:39 am on Saturday, March 3, 2012
i known him for at least 25 years back when he was employed at tsk karate tiger schulmanns karate he was known for being in [appropriate to female students] and many [female employees ] as well rerb
Lia wil
7:16 pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Let me tell everyone as parent you stay with your child them you can monitor them irresponsibility is with the parents. Kids lie too all you people have to hear is how someone sexually assaulted someone and you jump to conclusions you Americans like to mess up people's reputation especially minorities ex. Michael Jackson, lovey Brian etc. where is the evidence? There is none that girl is problem lying to get money please know your facts
Stacey brinker
10:19 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
The amma dojo just closed amd we had a 12 month contract. They r somewhere I kmow because he has my money for karate. There is ao much more going on u have no idea and im pissed.
PA Martial Arts & Fitness
2:15 am on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
PA Martial Arts And Fitness is Honoring all AMMA Dojo Contracts
1328 Chestnut St. Emmaus, PA 18049 www.pamaa.net (610) 533-9077
25 years experience and background checks available for all instructors.
PA Martial Arts & Fitness
2:15 am on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
No Affiliation with AMMA Dojo
pamela sebring
9:31 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
He has had quite the reputation for years. We had a computer business with him years ago. He stole money from the company. We won a lawsuit, which to this day the con artist never paid a dime back. He also was abusive to his ex- wife. He is a dirt bag and should be in jail. He has done damage to many people. He is a liar and a thief.
LV Resident
6:13 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
Not only a liar and a thief . . . one of the only true narcissistic persons I've known personally (my own unprofessional opinion). Look up the definition of a narcissistic person and the definition fits him to a "T". If interested, anyone can go online and check the status/charges for the criminal case against Shahrokh Mehrkar. Log onto: usjportal.pacourts.us. Click on Docket Sheets, followed by clicking on Criminal Courts of Common Pleas. Under search type: Scroll down to Participant's Name. Here, make sure you type in last name: Mahrkar, NOT Mehrkar! The courts have his last name spelled wrong. First name: Shahrokh. Next choose Lehigh County and under Docket type: choose Criminal. Hit Search button. Screen will look like it didn't change, but it did. Scroll down to bottom and the case list will appear. Hold curser over icon box and and choose Docket Sheet and his entire criminal case appears. He is schedule for trial on 10/29/2012, if he doesn't somehow get it continued for a 3rd time. I would wait until the trial is over before I believe anything he says about the case. He will tell people anything and blame others for his problems/issues. I truly hope for once (and it's a shame at the expense of a young vulnerable girl) that he truly gets what he deserves...and has to eat his own words/motto: "Karma's a bitch."
Carl Pavano
4:15 pm on Saturday, December 29, 2012
This loser lives right across the street from us and we have two young daughters. We were appalled after learning of this story. Anyone who wants his address let me know,