Crime & Safety
Karate Teacher Had Sexual Contact With Disabled Student At Morris Dojo: Officials
The 52-year-old academy owner admitted to a lesser charge after originally being charged with aggravated sexual assault, officials said.
MOUNT OLIVE, NJ — The owner of a Morris County karate dojo has been sentenced to probation after being charged with having a sexual relationship with a former adult student, who has disabilities.
Officials said Raymond Ziesse, 52, of Chester was originally charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault, and later pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal sexual contact.
Ziesse is the owner of Mount Olive Karate Academy in Flanders. Officials charged him with having sexual contact with the student at the dojo "on various dates" between May and August 2018.
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The adult student had cognitive and developmental disabilities, according to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office.
Officials originally indicted Ziesse in December 2023, officials said. Ziesse admitted to the charge of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact in February, and was sentenced to two years of probation on March 15.
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An email request to the karate academy for comment was not returned Friday.
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