Ex-karate instructor sentenced for sex abuse

In a Riverhead courtroom on Friday, former karate school instructor James Bonfiglio was sentenced to 6 to 8 years in prison for 70 counts of sex-related charges against young boys at his school.

Bonfiglio was arrested in October 2007 after a 13-year-old boy told his mother he had sex with the karate instructor.

During an investigation, New York police found sexual videos of him and his students, explicit photos, text messages and hidden cameras that were used the video tape his sexual encounters with his students, both at the school and his home.

In March 2009, Bonfiglio pleaded guilty to 70 counts of charges related to sex acts with his male students, while he was an instructor at Excel Karate Academy and Smithtown karate school.

Twelve named students dating back to 2003 came forward to testify against the monster, who was once called “sensei” by his students, a term of high respect for martial arts teacher that signifies the special relationship between instructor and pupil.

During his sentencing on Friday, Suffolk County Court Judge Barbara Kahn called the 38-year-old pedophile “a monster” and “a predator,” who had betrayed those who trusted him.

In a statement that was read in the courtroom during sentencing, a victim wrote, “how could this happen to a normal kid like me in a normal family in a normal town?”

After four other statements were read, Bonfiglio turned to the judge and said he was “sorry for everything.”

Bonfiglio attorney said that he was a “loving family man” whose relatives are supporting him despite his admissions.