‘You lowly, slimy creature!’ Victim’s searing words as karate school instructor gets 18 years in prison for sexually assaulting his nine-year-old female student at a New Jersey dojo 13 years ago
- Luke Bakula, 32, was convicted in March of aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault and child endangerment
- His former student in 2015 accused him of repeatedly molesting her as a child between November 2005-July 2006
- At the time, Bakula was a volunteer instructor at Porta’s Karate Dojo Academy in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey
Former karate instructor Luke Bakula, 32, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for repeatedly sexually assaulting a nine-year-old student more than a decade ago
A former karate instructor from New Jersey has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for repeatedly sexually assaulting a nine-year-old student more than 13 years ago.
Luke Bakula, 32, learned his fate on Thursday, four months after a jury convicted him of aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault and child endangerment following a four-week trial.
The assaults took place at Porta’s Karate Dojo Academy in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, and at the young victim’s home in Bloomington between November 2005 and July 2006.
Bakula, who has a black belt in karate, was a volunteer instructor at the dojo for 16 years.
Law enforcement officials did not learn of the allegations against Bakula until 2015, when his former student came forward, accusing him of repeatedly molesting her.
At the time of his arrest, Bakula was employed as a teacher’s aide in the Ringwood School District. His teaching license has since been revoked, reported NJ.com.
Some of the assaults took place at Porta’s Karate Dojo Academy in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, in 2005 and 2006
Bakula, who has a black belt in karate, was a volunteer instructor at the dojo for 16 years
During the sentencing hearing, Bakula’s victim, who is now in her 20s, lashed out at her molester, reported NorthJersey.com.
‘You disgusting coward!’ she addressed him directly. ‘You lowly, slimy creature!’
The young woman’s mother told the court her daughter is still traumatized by her experiences as a child years later.
Bakula’s own mother also spoke out, defending her son against the sexual assault claims and suggesting that the victim had falsely accused him.
‘My son respects women,’ Jean Bakula said. ‘He would never hurt anybody.’
Prosecutors requested that Bakula receive consecutive sentences totaling 60 years behind bars, but the presiding judge decided to hand down 12 years for aggravated sexual assault and six years for second-degree sexual assault.
Under the conditions of his sentence, Bakula must serve at least 15 years in state prison before he becomes eligible for parole.
The 32-year-old also will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life upon his release.