A judge yesterday pulled the plug on a preliminary hearing for a 62-year-old Temecula martial-arts instructor accused of sexually abusing three girls during lessons at his home-based studio, sending the case instead toward a felony settlement conference set for Sept. 23. The schedule shuffle puts a pause on what would have been a key step toward trial while prosecutors and defense attorneys weigh their options behind the scenes.
Investigation and charges
The instructor, identified in court papers as Dzung Xuan Mai, was arrested on June 26 and is charged with nine counts of lewd acts on a child under 14, along with allegations that he targeted more than one victim. He is being held on $1 million bail at the Cois M. Byrd Detention Center. The arrest followed a Special Victims Unit probe after deputies were notified of an alleged assault, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Office.
Victims and the scene
Court documents identify the alleged victims only by initials: J.H., J.W. and R.M. Prosecutors say R.M. was allegedly targeted from August 2020 through August 2024, while J.H. and J.W. were allegedly abused between May 2024 and June 2026. Deputies say one alleged assault was reported after a lesson on June 24 and that investigators served a search warrant at the instructor’s home-based studio in the 31000 block of Iris Way. Those timelines and details are outlined in court filings and local reporting by MyNewsLA.
What investigators say
Investigators told the sheriff’s office that Mai had been teaching martial arts from his residence for several years and instructed students roughly between the ages of 5 and 19. Detectives say they believe there may be additional victims and have released contact information for the lead investigators, urging anyone with information to come forward. NBC Los Angeles also reported on the arrest and the ongoing investigation.
Next steps and legal stakes
Superior Court Judge John Molloy formally vacated the preliminary hearing and scheduled a felony settlement conference for Sept. 23 at the Southwest Justice Center, according to MyNewsLA. Prosecutors say the defendant could face 25 years to life in state prison if convicted on one or more counts, a possibility noted in charging reports and local coverage by KESQ. Court officials offered no immediate explanation for the calendar change, and the Special Victims Unit says the investigation remains active.
