Sambo teacher arrested on Child Rape and Pornography charges

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1

Hey, long time lurker, first time poster. I didn’t really see this come up on here, but some guys I know have fought this guy’s kids at some MMA events. Tragic.

Thursday, May 20, 2004

Martial arts master charged with rape

Milton man found in possession of child pornography
by chris bradyStaff writer

MILTON – An internationally-known martial arts master from Milton is behind bars today, charged with the rape of a boy and possession of child pornography.

Mark A. Densberger, 45, of 802 N. Front St., Milton, was committed to Northumberland County Prison in lieu of $35,000 stemming from allegations of rape and $60,000 for a charge of possession of child pornography.

Police charged Densberger with rape after obtaining a written statement from a now-21-year-old man pertaining to allegations of rape that occurred in Densberger’s home dating back to 1996.

Court documents allege Densberger routinely raped the boy in his home as a means of punishment.

Police also charged Densberger with possession of child pornography after serving a search warrant at his North Front Street home. Police said they found sexually explicit video tapes featuring teens having sex as well as tapes containing images of Densberger having sex with juvenile boys.

One of those tapes featured a known 15-year-old female having sex with a known 17-year-old male, according to police.
Densberger is a well-known master of the martial arts form known as SOMBA, a Russian acronym for SOM-oborona Bes Orusyia, which means “self-defense without weapons.”
SOMBA encompasses techniques from wrestling, jujitsu, judo, aikido and karate.
One Web site described Densberger as “one of the greatest SOMBA fighters of all time.”
Densberger is the head of the American SOMBA Academy, which lists his Front Street address as its home, and is a United States SOMBA coach, according to a Web site.
The criminal investigation is ongoing and police said additional charges will likely be filed against Densberger.
In February 2002, Densberger was charged with simple assault and harassment after someone claimed to have seen him punch his son in a car in Milton. The simple assault charge was dismissed and Densberger was found not guilty of harassment.
chris brady: 570-742-9671
chris@standard-journal.com
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Edited to put article in in it’s entirety.

2

That’s one twisted fucker. QUIT GIVING SAMBO A BAD NAME, DIPSHIT!! (directed at the instructor, not you, Lady Vic).

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Opps, I forgot the rest of the article. On the bright side, the reporter calls it SOMBA.

Fixed it.

4

I don’t think his personal shortcommings are something that initially speaks for the system itself. Its sad though, because it generally will give martial arts in general a bad rep. Parents who knew of that guy will probably be more cautious when allowing their kids to train somewhere, and generally this kind of thing rouses suspiscion in instruction altogether.

But hey, what are you gonna do

5

The percentage of sickos in the MA is probably the same as in everything else.

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No, it doesn’t reflect badly on the style. But this does go to show that even if a style is well regarded and the instructor has reputable credentials you still need to be wary.

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“The percentage of sickos in the MA is probably the same as in everything else.”

Sickos thrive wherever there is a hierarchy imposed from above: martial arts, catholic church, military, boyscouts etc.

Tomas

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If the guy can’t get the evidence suppressed. He is going down on the child porno charges.

9

Just as with everyone else who read the thread title, no doubt, my first thought was “Oh God, not Omega”

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Though I didn’t suspect it was him, doubly glad to see it wasn’t no less.

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Originally posted by TaeBo_Master
Just as with everyone else who read the thread title, no doubt, my first thought was “Oh God, not Omega”

My temporary client Omega, would like me to deny that he was even involved in this incident, or that he will be involved in the savage beating TaeBo Master may be receiving tonite.

12

Although this might be perceived as a black eye for the Martial Arts in general, and Sambo in paticular, if parents become more concerned about where their kids are and who they’re with it might be a good thing. As a Instructor and a father of two, I’m still amazed at the number of children I have for students who’s parents I have never met. They just drop their kids off in my driveway and don’t come back for an hour. I see it happen all the time. I just can’t imagine leaving my kids anywhere with anyone without knowing at least a little something about their background or their credentials.

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Good post Cernunnos

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Seconded.

15

nutroded