News Releases

Karate Instructor Charged with Child Pornography- Detectives Seek to Identify Victims of Sexual Offenses

For Immediate Release: Friday, April 17, 2015

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Department- Special Victims Investigations Division have issued a warrant for Alexander Soumbadze, age 26, of Bethesda, charging him with eight counts of possession of child pornography. During this investigation, detectives have uncovered evidence that Soumbadze also had inappropriate contact with unidentified, adolescent males in a karate studio in Chevy Chase. Investigators are attempting to locate and speak with these victims to determine possible, additional criminal charges.

In December of 2014, the Montgomery County Police-Child Exploitation Unit received information from the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation that an individual who was uploading child pornography via the Internet was possibly residing in Montgomery County. Montgomery County detectives were granted court orders to obtain information regarding the subscription information corresponding to that Internet user. From information received from these court orders, as well as by using other investigative techniques, detectives were able to identify the Internet user as Soumbadze.

On April 1, 2015, a search warrant was executed at Soumbadze’s residence in Bethesda. Soumbadze was interviewed and made admissions of trading and receiving child pornography. Several electronic devices belonging to Soumbadze were seized by investigators. Detectives then obtained court orders to analyze the information and data stored on those devices and the process of reviewing those electronics was expedited.  During their review of the devices, investigators located eight videos of child pornography.

Investigators also discovered videos of Soumbadze improperly touching and engaging in sexual acts with what appear to be adolescent males and young adults. The males seem to have knowledge that they are being videotaped. Detectives have been able to determine that these videos were taken prior to October of 2011, at a karate studio formerly known as DC Martial Arts, located at 6936 Wisconsin Avenue in Chevy Chase. At that time, Soumbadze was an instructor at that studio. In October of 2011, the business changed ownership; Soumbadze became a partner in the business and the studio name changed to On The Mat Sports International. Soumbadze has been affiliated with the karate studio since he was a young child and attended the studio as a student.

Detectives would like to identify and speak to these victims captured on the videos to determine possible criminal acts that may have occurred. Victim information will be confidential and victims are strongly urged to call investigators.

Investigators have determined that on or about April 3, Soumbadze fled the United States with a possible final destination of (the country of) Georgia. A warrant has been issued for his arrest for possession of child pornography. The investigation into these additional seized videos remains ongoing.

Investigators are asking that anyone who believes he/she was a victim of inappropriate contact with Soumbadze to please call the Special Victims Investigations Division at 240-773-5406.

RLI

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Release ID: 15-112
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: press-releases