Martial arts instructor charged with rape of former students

CHARLES COUNTY, Md. — Charles County detectives have made an arrest in two cases of sexual abuse involving minors.

Steven James Hardeman was taken into custody on Friday for allegedly sexually assaulting two victims who were his martial arts students.

An investigation showed Hardeman was an instructor at the American Martial Arts Gym in Waldorf. The assaults occurred as far back as 2013. The claims were recently brought to a Charles County Grand Jury which charged Hardeman with two counts of sexual abuse of a minor, two counts of second-degree rape, and several other related offenses. 

Hardeman taught martial arts at other American Martial Arts gyms with locations in St. Mary’s County and Caroline County, Virginia. On Friday, a judge ordered his release from the Charles County Detention Center on personal recognizance as long as he enrolls in house arrest.

Police are unclear if there are any additional victims and are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Singh at 301-609-6471.  

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