Owner Of Gaithersburg Karate Studio Charged With Juvenile Sex Abuse

GAITHERSBURG, MD — A karate instructor from Gaithersburg has been charged with sex abuse for allegedly touching a 15-year-old female student inappropriately during lessons, police said Tuesday.

Frank Yul Pugarita, 54, has owned Pugarita Karate at 8945 North Westland Dr. in Gaithersburg for about ten years. Pugarita also works as an instructor at the business and is accused of touching the student multiple times during class, police said.

The victim told police the touching occurred during class lessons sometime between January 2017 and June 2017. Police began investigating the report on June 29, 2017.

Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Pugarita on October 3, 2017. He is charged with one count of sex abuse of a minor and one count of fourth-degree sex offense. He was arrested on October 9 and is being held without bond, police said.

Investigators believe that there may be addition victims. Detectives are requesting that parents of karate students talk to their children about their interactions with Pugarita and contact the Special Victims Investigations Division at 240-773-5400 if they believe their child was victimized.

Photo: Montgomery County Police Department