Prosecutor: Martial Arts Instructor Sexually Assaulted 13-Year-Old Student

A former Springfield martial arts academy instructor has admitted to sexually assaulting a 13-year-old student there, according to Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park.

George Mendoza-Valentino, 28, of Saddle Brook confessed to sexually assaulting a young girl multiple times in November of 2014, Prosecutor Park stated.

Investigators reported that Mendoza-Valentino also sent the victim sexually explicit images and videos, and requested that she do the same.

Mendoza-Valentino met the victim when she enrolled at the Springfield A.T.A. Martial Arts Academy branch, the investigation revealed. He sexually assaulted her at the Academy multiple times during the weeks leading up to his arrest, Union County Assistant Prosecutor David Hummel stated.

Mendoza-Valentino has remained lodged in Union County Jail on $125,000 bail since his arrest, Prosecutor Park stated. Sentencing in the case has been scheduled for Feb. 20.

Mendoza-Valentino is expected to receive a term of up to 10 years in state prison and subsequently remain under parole supervision for life as a registered sex offender under Megan’s Law.

The Union County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the Springfield Police Department conducted the joint investigation leading to the arrest.

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