Fulton martial arts instructor sentenced on sex act charges

Oswego (WSYR-TV) - A Fulton martial arts instructor pleaded guilty in Oswego County Court to two counts of criminal sexual acts with young boys.

Tommy Merritt, 38, was arrested in August after one of the victims came forward and told police about the series of incidents. His victims included a 14-year-old boy in 2005 and another 14-year-old boy in 2007. In both cases, Merit admitted to knowing how young the victims were.

Merritt will be sentenced on December 21 at 9:30 a.m. His sentence has yet to be determined, but he could serve up to three years in prison. In any case, he will be subject to six to seven years of post-release supervision and will be required to register as a sex offender.

Wednesday night, a mother of one of the victims told NewsChannel 9 that she thought the plea deal sentence was not harsh enough. Oswego County Assistant District Attorney Gregory Oakes said he has to weigh the needs of both the victim's families. "The other parents said they would prefer the matter to be resolved by plea. They have a minor child who is still here, who would have to stand up in court and would have to face family, friends and the community. That parent said for the sake of their minor child, they'd rather the case be resolved."

Merritt founded the National Taekwondo Union and was president of the Worldwide Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Merritt's studio, called Fight Science, is located on South First Street in Fulton.

Fulton (WSYR-TV) - The Fulton martial arts teacher arrested on charges of sex abuse is expected to accept a plea deal Thursday afternoon, but a victim's mother says the expected sentence is not harsh enough.

Back in August, victims told police that Tommy Merrit offered himself sexually to two students in exchange for money. Merrit owned and operated a studio called Fight Science on South First Street.

One victim's mother said she had no idea what Merrit had allegedly done to her son until investigators approached her. "No idea because he became close friends of the family and I never for once thought he would do anything to hurt my son," she said.

The mother, who asked not to be identified, says it's hard to deal with the fact that her family was friendly with the man who police say had sexually abused her son. "It was very hard as a parent, to accept it. But I'm very proud of my son who came forward because he stated that he doesn't want this to happen to anyone else," she said.

The abuse allegedly began when her son was just 12 years old. He was student at Merrit's martial arts school and traveled with him to area school for demonstrations. It was during that time the victim's mother says it all happened. "They said several times throughout different and various locations throughout the City of Fulton."

The victim's mother says she's been informed by the Oswego County District Attorney's office that Merrit will plead guilty to two counts of criminal sexual act, which she says could carry a sentence of one to two years. "I just don't feel it's enough time. I mean my son and the other victim is scarred for the rest of his life and he's just being scarred for two years if even that," she said.

The Oswego County District Attorney's office says cannot comment on the plea deal since it is still an open case.

Because of what she sees as an inadequate sentence, she is also asking others to speak out if they are a victim. "That's my hope that other victims will come forward and it will give him longer time," she said.

According to court papers, Merritt has said he is "truly sorry" for what he calls a "mistake," but adds, "I never forced anyone into doing anything."

Fulton (WSYR-TV) - Shortly after being released on bail on Wednesday, a Fulton martial arts instructor charged with criminal sex acts with a child was arrested on new charges relating to a second victim.

Tommy Merritt, 38, was arrested on overnight and accused by police of having intercourse with a child under the age of 15. His formal charges included several felony criminal sex acts and endangering the welfare of a child. The charges stem from a series of incidents they say occurred between 2005 and 2006.

Previously, Merritt was charged in incidents with a former student who is now 17.

Prior to his release on Wednesday, Merritt's bail had been lowered in an Oswego County Court by Judge David Roman.

He was arraigned Thursday morning in Fulton City Court before Judge Spencer Ludington and held on $25,000 cash or $50,000 bond.

He is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 1 at 9 a.m.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with more information to offer police should call (315) 598-4504.

Fulton (WSYR-TV) - A martial arts instructor accused of having sexual contact with an underage student has been bailed out of the Oswego County Jail. Tommy Merritt was released after a judge reduced his bail Wednesday.

Currently, Merritt is only charged for incidents involving a student who is now 17-years-old, but the investigation is continuing and police have said it could have a very large scope. Already, court documents indicate a second former student's allegations of abuse. That student is now 24.

The charges for which Meritt was arrested were two counts of a criminal sexual act, both felonies, and endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor.

Meritt's bail was reduced at his court appearance Wednesday. It was originally set at $15,000 cash or $30,000 bond, but was reduced to $5,000 cash or $10,000 bond. It is unknown which fee Meritt posted.

Meritt's next scheduled court date is September 1.

Fulton (WSYR-TV) - According to court papers, two men claimed Fulton martial arts instructor Tommy Merritt performed sexual acts on them at his former studios while they were young. The men are now 17 and 24-years-old.

Merritt offered his apology today, saying he is "truly sorry" for what he calls a "mistake," but adds, "I never forced anyone into doing anything."

The 17-year-old told police that Merritt performed a sexual act on his as recently as August 14, according to court papers. He also claims the abuse started when he was 13 years old and happened often at Merritt's old studios, one on Oneida Street and another on North Second Street.

The boy said, "[I] cannot remember the exact dates or times of any of the incidents before I was seventeen. This has occurred about 100 or 200 times."

Merritt was charged for those incidents, but the documents also contain information about another man who alleges Merritt also started touching him while he was young. The now-24-year-old man is quoted saying, "I know that he does this stuff to other kids that he is teaching. I have to tell this to the police to clear my conscious because I know this is going to screw up other kids' lives like it did to me."

In his statement, Merritt admits to relationships with his students. "At that point, he offered himself sexually in exchange for money, of which I did. The boy was 15 at this time," he said in one excerpt.

He also admits to having sexual relations with other students, but claims he waited until they were of age.

It appears Merritt paid for the sex acts, and says the students used the money for drugs. The 17-year-old admits he was never forced to do anything, but he claims he was still 13 when it started - which is a crime.

Both men quoted in the case they were manipulated into thinking that this was normal.

"We're going to make sure we cover all bases and uncover all stones," said Fulton Deputy Chief Tom Abelgore. "Ensure that we try to get victims to come forward, give them that opportunity as we try to build as good of a case as we can against Merritt."

Currently, Merritt is only charged for incidents with the now-17-year-old, but the investigation is continuing and police say it could have a very large scope. Merritt has taught in Fulton for many years, at locations on Oneida Street, North Second Street, South First Street, and South Fourth Street. Fulton Police want to hear from anyone who thinks their child was exposed to inappropriate behavior. Anyone who is concerned can call Fulton Police at 598-4504.

Fulton (WSYR-TV) - A Fulton martial arts teacher is accused of of committing a criminal sex act and endangering the welfare of a child. Tommy Merritt, 38, was arrested Thursday after a boy came forward and claimed the inappropriate contact had been going on for years.

Merritt's studio, called Fight Science, is located on South First Street in Fulton.

Fulton Deputy Police Chief Tom Abelgore says he used to run another studio on Oneida Street. The police told NewsChannel 9 that the sex acts started in 2005 and the victim, a male, was 13 years old at the time. Police say they continued until 2009. The investigation began when the boy, who is now an 18-year-old man, and his family, went to police.

"He was somewhat of a prominent person in the community. He works with children. Obviously there are concerns when you talk about charges like that," Abelgore said.

Merritt founded the National Taekwondo Union and was president of the Worldwide Martial Arts Hall of Fame.

"We do have some concerns there are additional victims at this point," Abelgore said. "Obviously he is the owner of a karate business, he does have contact with children from 8, 9 years old to 18, 18-plus."

The Chief said the sex acts took place at several locations. There are indications that some took place in the studio, but the Chief said that is still under investigation.

At this time, Merritt is still in jail on $30,000 bail.

According to the Taekwondo Union's website, Merritt works with kids at local schools and teaches self-defense to children. 

Fulton Police want to hear from people who have concerns or think their children were exposed to inappropriate behavior. Anyone with any information on the case, call (315) 598-4504.