Martial arts instructor arrested and charged with alleged criminal sexual conduct

A martial arts instructor has been arrested and charged with two counts of alleged criminal sexual conduct with a minor according to the City of Charleston Police Department. Police said that James Michael Buchen, 45, of Mt. Pleasant is charged with criminal sexual conduct with a minor second degree and criminal sexual conduct with a minor third degree.

The incidents spanned from June 24, 2013 and July, 5 2013, police said.

Between the date mentioned, two 15-year-old victims attended a martial arts camp through Buchen Martial Arts on Leinback Drive in Charleston, officials said.

Buchen was the owner and chief instructor of the camp, police said.

Police said that after lunch participants would watch movies and rest.

But on one afternoon, one of the victims was resting in the back half of the room when Buchen approached her and put her head in his lap and began to massage her shoulders and then put his hands down her shirt and beneath her sports bra, police recounted.

The second victim told police that on one afternoon during camp Buchen sat next to her, put his hand down her pants, and then her underwear, and touched the victim inappropriately.

Both victims began taking karate lessons from Buchen when they were about 10 years old, officials said.

Public information officer, Charles Francis said that Buchen was arrested Tuesday without incident.

He is being held at the Al Cannon Detention Center where Buchen is scheduled to have a bond hearing on Wednesday.

Charleston police said this investigation is ongoing.