A Shiloh ju-jitsu instructor has been arrested for allegedly sexually abusing a teenage student he was mentoring. Authorities took 32-year-old Kody R. Strunk into custody yesterday, following a referral from the St. Louis County Police Department in late January that prompted the investigation, prosecutors said.
Warrant and charges
Prosecutors in St. Clair County have charged Kody R. Strunk with 13 felony counts, including five counts of criminal sexual assault, five counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, two counts related to child sexual-abuse material, and one count of unlawful grooming, KSDK reports. The alleged victim is a teenage girl who trained under Strunk. Shiloh police arrested him following the issuance of the warrant and booked him into custody.
Who is handling the case
The St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office is overseeing the case, as it does with all felony matters in the county. Prosecutors review evidence before filing charges, and a suspect may be held for up to 48 hours during that review. If charges are filed, a judge sets bond at the first court appearance. The office also noted that victims and witnesses have specific rights and will be informed about court dates and next steps.
Where police say it happened
According to KSDK, the teen told investigators that the alleged abuse occurred both at a local gym and at Strunk’s home on Kathy Drive in Shiloh. Detectives are urging anyone with information—or anyone who believes they may also be a victim—to contact the Shiloh Police Department and Detective Sgt. Kyle Bade. Investigators say they currently consider the alleged abuse to be an isolated incident but continue to seek tips from the public.
What happens next
Kody R. Strunk will remain in custody while the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office reviews the case and determines whether to file formal charges. If charges are filed, a judge will set bond at his first court appearance. The office notes that felony cases, particularly those involving sexual assault allegations, can take months to proceed through the legal system, and victims will be kept informed throughout. Authorities are asking anyone with information about the case to contact the Shiloh Police Department.
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