Berks Karate Instructor Arrested for Child Molestation
2005-09-15 18:53:00
A BERKS COUNTY MARTIAL ARTS INSTRUCTOR TURNS HIMSELF HIM AFTER BEING CHARGED WITH SEXUALLY MOLESTING A TEENAGE GIRL. DETECTIVES SAY THE LEESPORT MAN COMMITTED THE ACTS ON TWO OCCASIONS BETWEEN THE SPRING AND FALL OF 2003.
WENDY, 38 YEAR OLD BRUCE DRAGO IS THE OWNER OF A MARTIAL ARTS TRAININg CENTER IN WYOMISSING. BEFORE THAT HE OWNED A KARATE STUDIO IN THE FAIRGROUNDS SQUARE MALL IN MUHLENBERG TOWNSHIP. POLICE SAY THE THE ALLEGED VICTIM, THEN 14 YEARS OLD, WOULD MEET DRAGO THERE.
DET SGT. DERR-
5:05 SHE ACTUALLY CONFIDED IN A FRIEND AND THE FRIEND CAME FORWARD AND THAT’S HOW IT CAME ABOUT.
REPORTER-
POLICE THEN INTERVIEWED THE VICTIM AND SHE TELLS POLICE BRUCE DRAGO WOULD AT TIMES GIVE HER RIDES HOME IN HIS CAR. AND TWICE SHE SAYS DRAGO PARKED, GAVE HER VODKA IN THE CAR, AND THEN FORCED HER TO HAVE SEXUAL CONTACT. DRAGO’S MARTIAL ARTS EXPERIENCE DATES BACK TO THE EARLY 1990’S ACCORDING TO HIS WEBSITE “STREETTACTICS.US”.
THE WEBSITE CLAIMS TO PROVIDE A POSITIVE AND SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. EARLY THIS AFTERNOON, AT HIS WYOMISSING TRAINING CENTER, THE SIGN STILL SAYS THE PLACE IS OPEN.
2:52 DERR. -
I CERTAINLY THINK PARENTS SHOULD BE CONCERNED TO HAVE THEIR CHILDREN INSTRUCTED BY AN INDIVIDUAL CHARGED WITH THESE CRIMES.
REPORTER -
DRAGO IS CHARGED WITH INVOLUNTARY DEVIATE SEXUAL INTERCOURSE, CORRUPTION OF MINORS AND GIVING ALCOHOL TO MINORS.
2:27 DERR. -
WE’RE STILL LOOKING INTO THE POSSIBILITY THAT THERE MAY BE MORE VICTIMS AND IF ANYONE HAS ANY INFORMATION THEY SHOULD GET IN TOUCH WITH US. BRUCE DRAGO POSTED BAIL AND WAS RELEASED TODAY. HIS NEXT HEARING IS
SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 27TH.
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