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Dutcher Arrested Monday at Dulles Airport

Justin Dutcher, owner of PRIDE Martial Arts Studio in Edgewater was due in court last month to face child sex offense charges.

 

According to reporting from the Easton Star Democrat, Justin Dutcher was nabbed at Dulles International Airport on Monday by DC Customs and Border Protection. Dutcher was returning from overseas.

Dutcher is accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old former student at the Kent Island martial arts studio where he worked prior to owning PRIDE Martial Arts in Edgewater.

In all, Dutcher was facing 15 criminal charges in Queen Annes County Court.

Dutcher was scheduled for trial Aug. 22. But as the proceedings began, Dutcher's attorney told the judge and prosecutors that he did not know where his client was, indicating that he had possibly fled to Europe.

Queen Annes County Circuit Court Judge Thomas G. Ross then signed a no-bond arrest warrant for Dutcher. The Queen Anne sheriff's office subsequently contacted Interpol and flagged Dutcher's passport.

The Star Democrat article indicates that Dutcher is being held in Loudon County, VA jail and will be returned to the Eastern Shore by Queen Annes Sheriff deputies on Thursday.

PRIDE Martial Arts has been closed since mid-July. According to former clients, Dutcher sent an email to students prior to closing. In the memo, Dutcher gave assurances to his innocence and vowed to fight the charges at trial.

The trial was set to begin a month later, at which time Dutcher's attorney noted that he did not know his client's whereabouts.

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