Taekwondo instructor Adrian Spellen indicted on rape, molestation charges

A Taekwondo instructor in Lithonia was indicted Tuesday on charges that he raped a female student, according to authorities.

A DeKalb County grand jury retued a three-count indictment against Adrian Thomas Spellen, who authorities say assaulted a girl at his school, Powerkicks Martial Arts, in the 3000 block of Miller Road in Lithonia.

Investigators say the alleged assault occurred between late May and early June at the martial arts studio.

The victim notified her mother about the alleged assault, and the mother took the girl to a hospital and alerted police on June 5, investigators said.

Spellen, 28, was taken into custody June 25. He was indicted Tuesday on two rape counts and one count of aggravated child molestation.

"These allegations are extremely serious and we will continue to work to ensure justice for the victim and her loved ones," DeKalb District Attoey Robert James said.

In early July, community leaders were among the more than 50 people who tued out at the bond hearing to support the popular Taekwondo instructor. His bond was set at $100,000.

State Sen. Donzella James and defense attoey Don Edwards were among those who stood on the courthouse steps to defend Spellen.

Spellen's mother, Donna, said then that with God's help, she will prove her son's innocence.

She said her son is a pillar in the community and has helped children when no one else would.

Spellen's attoey said then that police hadn’t thoroughly done their homework.

”There's been very little investigation, we believe, by the detective at this point in this case, and we want to get to the bottom of it, defense attoey Regina Matthews told Channel 2's GA Daily News.

Spellen's bond bans him from contact with his accuser and any minors other than family members.

According to his website, powerkicksmartialarts.com, Spellen has operated Powerkicks since 2003, has plans to compete in the 2012 Olympics and is a representative of Guyana for the Taekwondo Confederation.