CLEARFIELD, Utah — A 20-year-old man has been booked into the Davis County Jail on sex offense charges involving a minor, and Clearfield police said the alleged victim met the suspect through his position as her martial arts instructor.
Damian Fullmer faces six counts of aggravated sexual assault and two counts of forcible sodomy of a child. He was booked into jail Thursday and later released on a $150,000 bail.
According to Clearfield police, Fullmer worked at Evolutionary Martial Arts in Syracuse.
Late Wednesday night, Roy detectives informed Clearfield police of a possible sex offense alleged to have occurred within Clearfield. That information, Clearfield police said, prompted an investigation and resulted in Fullmer's arrest.
Police don't believe any of the sexual activity occurred at the martial arts school, but they said that is where the man met the alleged victim about a year ago. The pair are believed to have been engaging in sexual activity for at least six months.
"Shocked, sadness," one parent with children who attend the school said. "It just breaks my heart."
That parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said she is grateful police got involved.
"That's the hardest thing, because I'm like he was supposed to be the teacher for that class, and now of course he's not going to be," she said. "Thank God!"
Police learned of the allegations after interviewing the juvenile for an unrelated incident. Police then arrested Fullmer, who declined to talk to authorities.
"At that time we did have enough information and probable cause from the interview with the victim to charge him," said Sgt. Kyle Jeffries of the Clearfield Police Department.
Ron Higginson of Syracuse has children who attend the martial arts school, and he said he was caught off guard by the arrest.
"Very professional, very professional; top-notch every second of the day," Higginson said. "It's the evidence, if there's evidence than that's what it is, but I'm still heartbroken."
The martial arts school said they were shocked by the allegations, and they have fired Fullmer.
Clearfield police said there isn't evidence to indicate that there are additional victims. Anyone who has information on this case or who suspects their child may have been victimized by Fullmer is asked to call the Clearfield City Police Department at 801-525-2806.
