Ex-Passaic Co. Karate Teacher Sentenced In Sexual Assault Of Girl

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — Luke Bakula, a former karate instructor and state-certified teacher, was sentenced to 18 years in New Jersey State Prison for sexually assaulting a 9-year-old student in 2005 and 2006.

Bakula was sentenced to 12 years for aggravated sexual assault and six years for sexual assault by Judge Joseph A. Portelli, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes said. The sentences will run consecutively.

Bakula must register as a sex offender under Megan's Law and will be under parole supervision for life when he is released from prison.

From November 2005 and July 2006, Bakula sexually assaulted the then-9-year-old victim at the dojo and at her Bloomingdale home, Valdes said. He stopped being an instructor in 2015 based on the allegations.

The victim called Bakula a "disgusting coward" and a "lowly, slimy creature," during the sentencing, NorthJersey.com reported.

Bakula also held a kindergarten through sixth grade teaching certificate from the state from 2011 until June 2017 when the State Board of Examiners suspended it. Bakula may not hold public employment based on his conviction.

Related: Ex-Passaic Co. Karate Teacher Guilty Of Sexually Assaulting Girl

Bakula was convicted by a Passaic County jury March 12 on two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, two counts of second-degree sexual assault, and two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, Valdes said.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com