Martial Arts Teacher Arrested for Molestation
This article is in reference to a Local Molestation Investigation. It is not SDICAC related.
By Kristina Davis, UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER, Published August 13, 2010 at 6:07 p.m.
LA MESA — The owner of a martial arts school has been arrested on suspicion of repeatedly molesting one of his 13-year-old students, La Mesa police said Friday.
Eric Protas, 38, was arrested Thursday morning on numerous counts of child molestation. He is being held on $1 million bail.
Protas, who is also an instructor at the Allied Gardens School of Martial Arts, is accused of abusing the boy over a one-year period.
The school, on Waring Road, also supports after-school martial arts programs offered in elementary schools throughout the county, according to the studio’s website.
Detectives are still working on developing leads on any other potential victims or witnesses to this case. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Jason Sieckman at (619) 667-1439.
