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Arizona Martial Arts Instructor Accused Of Having Sex With 15-Year-Old Student

By on March 27, 2023 0 236Views

A Gilbert martial arts instructor has been arrested and accused of having sex with a 15-year-old student and former employee.

According to an investigation, 22-year-old Dyllon DePalma, an instructor and employee at DePalma’s Team USA Martial Arts studio, had known the girl since she was eight years old and is accused of having inappropriate relations with her on three occasions over the course of several months.

Reports state that in October of 2022, DePalma asked the teen if she would like to work at the martial arts studio running the front desk. Allegedly, the two had sex while she was working at the studio and DePalma fired her the following day. However, DePalma and the teen continued remained in contact. Two months later in December, DePalma picked up the teen at her home and took her to his home. Detectives reported that the two drank alcohol and engaged in sex. At that time, DePalma asked to have the victim’s phone where he proceeded to delete his phone number from it. Upon returning home, the victim messaged him on Facebook Messenger, and they continued their communication, including sending explicit photos to one another.

Court paperwork state that on March 2, the two engaged in sex for a third time when teen girl snuck out of her bedroom window and met DePalma down the street from her home in Queen Creek. The following day, the victim sent DePalma a message and asked him to buy her a Plan B pill. On March 10, the victim called DePalma. During their conversation he denied getting the victim pregnant but did admit to knowing that she was underage.

DePalma was arrested at his Gilbert home on Saturday. Court paperwork says denied having a sexual relationship with the girl, claiming he was never alone with her and she never at been at his home. DePalma has been booked on three counts of sexual conduct with a minor.

Two years ago, DePalma faced similar allegations. In November of 2021, police received a report that DePalma asked a 13-year-old girl for nude photos despite knowing her age. He was a karate instructor for DePalma’s Team USA Martial Arts during that time.

The Gilbert Police Department is asking additional victims to come forward, and anyone with information about the case to call 480-503-6500, reference DR 23-37115.