A Temecula martial arts instructor who authorities say taught children and teenagers from his home for several years has been arrested on multiple sexual assault charges involving a minor, and investigators believe there may be additional victims.
The investigation began June 24 after a minor reported being sexually assaulted during a martial arts lesson, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office. The case was assigned to the department’s Special Victims Unit after deputies from the Southwest Sheriff’s Station received the allegation.
Investigators identified the suspect as Dzung Mai, 62, of Temecula. Authorities said Mai had been teaching martial arts from his residence for the past several years, providing instruction to students ranging in age from 5 to 19.
On Friday, investigators with the Special Victims Unit and the Southwest Sheriff’s Station served a search warrant at a residence in the 31000 block of Iris Way in Temecula. Mai was taken into custody without incident and was later booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center on multiple sexual assault charges, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities have not publicly identified the specific charges or disclosed additional details about the alleged assaults, citing the ongoing investigation. No information has been released regarding whether Mai has retained an attorney who could comment on the allegations.
The Sheriff’s Office said investigators believe there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward.
Anyone with information related to the investigation is encouraged to contact Special Victims Unit Investigator Andrade at 951-955-2777 or Southwest Sheriff’s Station Investigator Roberge at 951-696-3000.
The investigation remains active.
Under California law, criminal charges are allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
