Broken Arrow Martial arts instructor accused of molesting students facing charges in 2 Oklahoma counties
THE ACCUSED IS PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL FOUND GUILTY BY A JURY.
A 29-year-old former taekwondo instructor accused of molestation had is now facing charges in two counties after action taken by Tulsa County prosecutors.
Lyndon Cole Jarman was charged with 3 counts of lewd molestation, 1 count of lewd or indecent proposal to a minor, and 1 count of aggravated possession of child pornography. The bond on those three charges is $825,000, Tulsa County court records show, and a plea of not guilty has been entered for Jarman.
In Wagoner County, Jarman has been charged with 3 counts of lewd acts to a child under 16, 2 counts of outraging public decency, and 1 count of domestic abuse in the presence of a minor stemming from an incident with his wife. Total bond on those charges is another $350,000.
Jarman has been unable to make bond and is still in custody at the Wagoner County Jail, where he faces a March 19 preliminary hearing in District Court. An arrest warrant has been issued for Jarman in Tulsa County as well.
Police said the investigation revealed the alleged crimes happened while the children were in the care of Jarman while serving as their martial arts instructor.
“The arrest follows a thorough investigation after several victims and their families provide information to detectives. At this time, the case remains under investigation, and we are committed to providing updates as appropriate while respecting the privacy of the victims involved,” BAPD said in a statement.
“It is possible that there could be more victims connected with this investigation,” the department added.
At one point Jarman was employed as an instructor at Martial Arts Advantage in Broken Arrow from 2016 to 2019. The business posted on its Facebook page that Jarman came “highly recommended” by his previous instructor and passed a background check when he was hired.
The business said in a Facebook post it was “deeply horrified and shocked” at the allegations but noted that employees must pass a “rigorous” background check and participate in mandatory drug testing.
“Additionally,” the company said, “we have comprehensive safety measures in place, including a fully monitored and recorded surveillance system throughout our facility, as well security codes for entry during off hours. To be clear, we remain committed to fostering a safe and positive environment for all students and our BA community.”
Jarman was also an instructor at Midtown Martial Arts from 2020 to 2022. The company said on Facebook that Jarman, “came highly recommended by senior and respected instructors in the martial arts community and had a clean background check at the time of his hiring.
“The allegations against him stem from events before his employment with us and are currently under investigation. Today, every Midtown Martial Arts instructor has passed a background check, and we have comprehensive safety measures in place, including a fully monitored and recorded surveillance system throughout our facility.
“To be clear, we have had no reports of misconduct at our school, and we remain committed to fostering a safe and positive environment for all.” Anyone with information relevant to the ongoing investigation by the Broken Arrow Police Department is asked to contact Det. Robinson at CRobinson@BrokenArrowOK.Gov.
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Source: Broken Arrow Sentinel
