Lake Elsinore Instructor Accused Of Molesting Girls During Martial Arts Classes Gets Trial Date

A Dec. 2 trial date was confirmed today for a martial arts instructor facing a dozen felony charges for allegedly molesting three girls during private lessons in Lake Elsinore.

Albert George Williams, 64, of Lake Elsinore could face life behind bars if convicted of nine counts of lewd acts on a child under 14 years old, two counts of oral copulation of a minor and one count of witness intimidation.

During a status conference at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Judith Clark scheduled Williams' trial for early December after the prosecution and defense agreed to make every effort to be prepared by that time.

Williams is being held in lieu of $3 million bail at the Southwest Detention Center. He has been in custody since his arrest last Nov. 3 and has changed attorneys at least twice since that time.

An investigation began following allegations made by an 8-year-old girl, who received one-on-one training at Williams' house in the 15600 block of Laguna Avenue.

"The investigation revealed that the victim ... was taking a Taekwondo lesson from Williams in a garage. It was learned that during one of these private sessions, Williams sexually molested the victim," sheriff's Sgt. Todd Pauling alleged previously.

The defendant was interviewed and booked into jail the same day.

According to the criminal complaint, two additional alleged victims were identified within a couple of weeks of charges being filed in connection with the 8-year-old.

The complaint alleges that one girl, identified only as Jane Doe #2, was molested in January 2011, while Jane Doe #3 was also molested later that same year.

Williams has no prior criminal history in Riverside County, according to court records. --City News Service