San Antonio A local martial arts studio reopened for business Tuesday morning following news that its owner had been arrested on child sexual assault charges.
Suspect Joseph Rene Caballero, 40, was released on bail after his arrest Saturday.
Caballero is accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl who was a student at his jiu-jitsu school, “The Exception Squad.”
During a press conference Monday afternoon, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said Caballero began by sending the girl notes after she broke up with another student she was dating.
“The note appeared to be from an anonymous secret admirer and sought to set up a relationship with the young woman,” Salazar said.
According to the sheriff, Caballero ultimately sexually assaulted the girl multiple times.
Salazar said she recently reported the incident to authorities, but it appears the incident has been ongoing since last fall.
According to court records, Caballero has since been ordered to have no contact with all children other than his own.
Employees could be seen opening the doors to the business in the 7600 block of Culebra Road on Tuesday morning, and according to social media posts, Exception Squad is running a summer program for children.
When the parents arrived at the store, they quickly went inside and refused to speak to reporters.
One man, who spoke to KSAT 12 News off-camera, said despite the allegations, he has no plans to kick his daughters out of what he calls “the best jiu-jitsu studio in the city.”
The sheriff initially denied the allegations about Caballero at a press conference and said the store owner would not harm children.
He later softened his stance somewhat, saying that whatever Caballero did, it should not reflect negatively on the studio or its employees.
But Melissa Calengera, who works at a nearby business, said the arrests have changed her mind about the martial arts school.
At one point, she had planned to enroll her sons there.
“Right now I don't know, because I don't know what's going to happen. I wouldn't believe it,” Karengela said. “It's hard to trust right now.”
Karengela said he feels sorry for the girl in this case, and the sheriff praised her for coming forward and speaking out.
“It pains me,” Karengela said. “Deep down, it hurts me more than anything because even though it's not my daughter, it affects me as a parent.”
Sheriff's investigators are concerned there may be more children who may have been under Caballero's influence.
The school is encouraging parents to talk to their children and report any unusual behavior.
The Bexar County Sheriff's Office phone number is 210-335-6000.
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