HMB Brazilian martial arts instructor charged with sexual offenses

Joao Pierini, a Half Moon Bay martial arts instructor, pleaded not guilty to charges includling lewd and lascivious acts upon a minor 14 or 15 years old, sexual battery and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, reports the County Times.

[The] teacher will appear in court Friday for his preliminary hearing on charges that he drank beer with four teenage pupils and inappropriately touched them.

On Dec. 15, Pierini reportedly came across the four boys, ages 15 to 17, at a local Starbucks coffee shop, prosecutors report.

The boys, who had purchased beer earlier in the day, were invited by Pierini back to his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu studio, Half Moon Bay Police Chief Ike Ortiz said.

According to the prosecutor, the boys spent one night at Pierini’s studio at 2830 North Cabrillo Highway in Half Moon Bay