A Bradenton martial arts instructor sexually assaulted a student he met at the studio, police said

A Bradenton martial arts instructor is facing criminal charges after investigators say he sexually abused a 14-year-old student he met at the facility.

Brennon Cooper Brown, 24, is charged with three counts of lewd or lascivious battery on a minor. According to an arrest warrant, he was an instructor at Ancient Ways Martial Arts Academy, 4774 Cortez Road.

Brown and the girl messaged each other on social media and began spending time together outside of martial arts school, investigators say. According to an arrest report, Brown sexually abused the girl between February 2023 and May 2023.

In an interview with the Bradenton Herald, Boon Brown, the owner of Ancient Ways and Brennon Brown’s father, denied the allegations against his son. He claimed Brennon would be “totally exonerated” in court.

“The allegations did not occur at my company and he is no longer employed here,” Brown said.

As of Thursday, there is no mention of Brennon Brown on the martial arts studio’s website, but an earlier version of the site said he began training in martial arts when he was three years old and that he was “a favorite teacher for many of our students.” ”

According to the studio’s website, Ancient Ways teaches about 300 students of all ages, from preschool to adult grades.

According to an arrest report, investigators began investigating the sexual abuse case in July after the girl’s father filed a complaint.

According to the sheriff’s office website, police arrested Brennon Brown on May 6 and charged him with three counts of lewd or lascivious battery on a minor. Court documents show Brennon Brown was released from the Manatee County Jail the next day after posting bail totaling $22,500.