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Karate teacher accused of sexual abuse free on bond

A former Ronkonkoma karate teacher accused of sexually assaulting as many as 10 boys was set free on $500,000 bond Monday. A 43-count indictment was unsealed against James Bonfiglio, who ran a karate

News 12 Staff

Feb 26, 2008, 1:55 AM

Updated 6,127 days ago

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A former Ronkonkoma karate teacher accused of sexually assaulting as many as 10 boys was set free on $500,000 bond Monday.
A 43-count indictment was unsealed against James Bonfiglio, who ran a karate school in Ronkonkoma. Bonfiglio was initially arrested in October after one of his students accused him of sexual abuse. Since that time, police said they raided Bonfiglio's home and found child pornography, hidden cameras and videos of the suspect engaging in lewd acts with the boys.
Bonfiglio pleaded not guilty and was initially issued $1 million cash bond. However, Judge Barbara Kahn reduced that to $250,000 cash or $500,000 secured bond. That move has outraged relatives of the alleged victims and prosecutors.
"It is very difficult for us to attempt to make sense of what happened here," said prosecutor John Collins.
As part of his bond, Bonfiglio will be monitored with a GPS device 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He is also not allowed to have contact with children. Related Information:Karate instructor accused of sexually abusingboy