KARATE INSTRUCTOR TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR MOLESTING SIX YOUNG BOYS IN HIS STUDIO OFFICE

KARATE INSTRUCTOR TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR MOLESTING SIX YOUNG BOYS IN HIS STUDIO OFFICE
*The District Attorney is asking for the public’s help in
identifying additional victims

WESTMINSTER – A former karate instructor will be arraigned today for molesting six male students in his studio office.   Patrick Shawn Magnan, 51, Westminster, is charged with11 felony counts of lewd acts on a child under 14 and sentencing enhancement allegations for lewd acts on multiple children and substantial sexual conduct with a child.  He faces a maximum sentence of 90 years to life in prison if convicted. The defendant is being held on $1 million bail. Magnan is expected to be arraigned today, Monday, Aug. 4, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. in Department W-14, West Justice Center, Westminster.

Between 1999 and November 2005, Magnan owned a karate studio at 16521 Magnolia Avenue in Westminster. He closed the studio in late 2005 or early 2006.

In July 2008, a male victim disclosed to a counselor that he had been molested by Magnan in 2005, prior to the closure of the studio. The Westminster Police Department (WPD) began an investigation and identified five additional victims. While working as a karate instructor at his studio, Magnan is accused of molesting six male victims, ages 10 to 14 years old, when he was alone with them while they were students at his karate school. He is accused of primarily sexually assaulting the victims in his office. The victims said they tried to avoid his office for fear that he would molest them. The defendant is accused of also molesting the some of the victims in the karate ring. The lewd acts included masturbation, groping, and kissing.

The victims did not initially come forward because they were ashamed about the sexual assault and were afraid of Magnan because during karate practice he would talk about how strong he was and his ability to break a person’s neck.

The defendant was arrested Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008, by WPD. Magnan’s occupation and potential access to children after closing his studio in 2005 are unknown. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with additional information or who believes they have been a victim is encouraged to contact Supervising District Attorney Investigator Tim Craig at (714)347-8558.

Deputy District Attorney Nicole Nicholson of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case. 

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