PORTSMOUTH — The owner of Onsite Family Martial Arts has denied sexually assaulting a woman at his Robert Avenue establishment this spring while falsely posing as a chiropractor, and his lawyer said he plans to take the case to trial.
Harry Shalash, 67, turned himself in to Portsmouth police last week after more than a month of investigation and was charged with kissing, forcibly fondling and touching a woman above and below the waist, according to court records. Shalash allegedly committed similar acts against the same victim on March 25 and April 1, according to court records.
Chalash, a Stratham resident, was employed as a substitute teacher with the Portsmouth School District and taught an after-school martial arts program, leaders of SAU 52 reported. Police said there have been no reports of Chalash engaging in misconduct with minors.
Charace is charged with three counts of sexual assault, four counts of simple assault and two counts of unlawful chiropractic medical practice, all misdemeanors.
“I have been falsely accused and I look forward to being proven innocent in court,” Shalashe said in a phone interview on Tuesday, declining to comment further.
Attorney Larissa Kearse is representing Charace and spoke on her client's behalf in a prepared statement.
“Harry Shalashe has taught martial arts in the Portsmouth community for over 30 years,” Kearse said Tuesday. “Mr. Shalashe is beloved by his students and strongly denies these false allegations. He maintains his innocence and looks forward to proving it in court.”
According to his profile on the OnSite Family Martial Arts website, Shalashe began training in New York 10 years ago and has been teaching martial arts to students in the Seacoast since 1989.
Chalashe worked at a school in Portsmouth.
The Portsmouth School District notified SAU 52 families of Sharache's arrest last week. Superintendent Zachary McLaughlin said in a message to school officials that Sharache's last day as a substitute teacher for the district was April 12, the same day SAU 52 was notified about the Portsmouth Police investigation.
“Later that evening, the district was notified that an interim protective order had been issued against Mr. Sharache. As his case is being adjudicated through the criminal justice process, the Portsmouth Department of Education will not employ him as a substitute teacher or as a vendor for after-school activities,” McLaughlin said in the notice issued on Friday, May 24. “The current allegations against Mr. Sharache were not made on school grounds or with any children. The Portsmouth Department of Education's number one priority is the safety of our school community, especially our students.”
McLoughlin did not immediately respond to an interview request Tuesday.
Details of the charges against Charace
The simple assault and sexual assault charges against Shalashe allege he “intentionally caused inappropriate physical contact” with the female victim by kissing her neck and touching her genitals, up and down her waist and under her underwear, according to the court complaint. The sexual assault complaint alleges that Shalashe forcibly fondled her.
The charge of illegally practicing chiropractic medicine against Characet alleges he attempted to perform “neck and back adjustments” on the victim to “restore and maintain” her health.
The sexual assault and simple assault charges are Class A misdemeanors, and the charge of unlawful practice of chiropractic medicine is a Class B misdemeanor.
Portsmouth police Detective Sergeant Kevin McCarthy explained the charges are classified as misdemeanors.
“Sexual assault (in New Hampshire) encompasses a wide range of conduct, from fondling to violent penetration and battery. Based on the conduct alleged, a misdemeanor charge was appropriate,” he said Tuesday.
Three of the charges against Charace — one count of simple assault, one count of sexual assault and one count of unlawful chiropractic medical practice — allegedly occurred on March 25. The remaining charges stem from an incident on April 1, according to court records.
McCarthy said the sexual assault and simple assault charges against Sharache related to the April 1 complaint are alternative theory charges.
He added that police have not received any allegations that Charace has engaged in any misconduct with minors.
“I can categorically say we have not received any reports of that happening,” McCarthy said.
The investigation into Charace is ongoing.
McCarthy and Detective Inspector Matthew Fredrickson, who is in charge of the investigation, confirmed that police have received calls from members of the area about Charace since his arrest.
“Some calls required further follow-up, while others were just a short conversation,” he said Tuesday. “Some calls were from concerned residents who just wanted to talk.”
Portsmouth police have received calls about Shalashe in the past, but McCarthy declined to disclose the nature of those communications.
“We have had contact in the past regarding Mr. Charace but no charges were brought,” he said.
Police are urging anyone with information to call them as the Charace case progresses.
The longtime martial arts instructor turned himself in to city police last Wednesday, May 22, on $1,000 bail, Portsmouth police said in a previous release.
According to the bail order, Shalashe is set to be arraigned in Portsmouth District Court on July 8 at 8 a.m. The bail order states that the suspect has no direct or indirect contact with the victim and is ordered to stay 300 feet away from the suspect. Shalashe's bail order also prohibits him from possessing any firearms, destructive devices, dangerous weapons or ammunition.
Portsmouth Police are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Fredrickson at (603) 610-7667.
Anonymous tips can be made to Seacoast Crime Stoppers at 603-431-1199, seacoastcrimestoppers.com or through the free, downloadable “P3” phone application. Police say information leading to an arrest and indictment may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
If you need help
Seacoast Media Group provides the following information as a public service when reporting on cases of suspected sexual violence.
Haven is a violence prevention and support service for men, women and children who have been victims of domestic and sexual violence. Haven's 24-hour hotline is 1-603-994-SAFE (7233). It is a confidential crisis support line staffed by trained advocates in the Seacoast and Rochester areas. Information: havennh.org
