Martial Artist Held in Child Molestation Near Lawrence Middle School

A 24-year-old Van Nuys man accused of impersonating a police officer and fondling at least five young girls near Lawrence Middle School in Chatsworth was charged today with 19 counts, including kidnapping for child molesting and lewd acts on a child.

Joseph Reyes Rogero, a martial artist, is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon in San Fernando Superior Court on 18 felony charges and one misdemeanor count. He was booked into the Valley Jail in Van Nuys in lieu of $1 million bail.

Police say they believe there may be additional victims.

-- City News Service contributed to this report.