Temple City Man Charged With Sexually Assaulting Girls
On Thursday, April 30, 2015 at 12:15 a.m., El Monte Police Officers received information that a local Martial Arts Instructor from the Elite Kung Fu Training Academy at 10423 Valley Blvd., El Monte had inappropriate physical contact with a juvenile. An investigation ensued which identified Elite Kung Fu Instructor Derick Lee (DOB 7/27/65) of Temple City as the suspect.
Lee was located and arrested by El Monte Police Detectives on April 30th at 4:50 p.m. at the martial arts studio. Lee was booked at the El Monte Police Department for the listed criminal charges. A follow-up investigation resulted in the identification of two additional victims. Currently, Lee is being housed at the Los Angeles County Twin Towers Jail Facility. All of the assaults were committed against current and former students of Elite Kung Fu Academy and the assaults occurred inside of the business.
The 49-year-old Lee was charged May 5, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office announced. Derick Lee has been charged with six counts: two counts of lewd act upon a child and one count each of sexual penetration by foreign object; sexual penetration by foreign object – minor victim over 14; child molesting; and sexual battery in case KA109622. The defendant was scheduled to be arraigned, but the court appearance was continued to May 19 in Department F of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Pomona Branch.
Prosecutors said at the time of the crimes, Lee was a martial arts instructor at Elite Kung Fu in El Monte. Between July 2014 and April 2015, Lee reportedly sexually assaulted and inappropriately touched three teenage girls who were his students. Last month, one of the victims revealed Lee had allegedly sexually abused her. Authorities began an investigation into her account and learned there were two additional victims. Lee was subsequently arrested on April 30 and has remained in custody since his apprehension. If convicted as charged, the defendant faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years and eight months in state prison. The case is being investigated by the El Monte Police Department.
The El Monte Police Department is requesting that anyone who has additional information regarding any inappropriate contact or conduct involving Derick Lee, contact the police department at (626) 580-2114. Information may also be submitted at tips@elmontepd.org. Additional questions may be directed to the El Monte Police Department Watch Commander at (626) 580-2109.
