Karate instructor charged with child molestation

Thomas Ary in custody at Camden County Jail

Camden County Sheriff's Office booking photo of Thomas Ary.

KINGSLAND, Ga. – A Camden County karate instructor has been charged with one count of child molestation.

Thomas Ary, 59, a karate instructor at Pak's Karate Academy at their Kingsland location, is now in custody at the Camden County Jail.

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Channel 4 spoke Friday night with the Grandmaster Song Ki Pak at Pak Karate Academy.

"I'm shocked. Shocked, that's all," said Pak.

Pak said that he trained Ary (pictured, below) more than 30 years ago and that he is upset about the allegations against Ary.

"I heard of arrest, I did not know why," said Pak. "I'm shocked, so nervous right now. So mad right now."

"Grandmaster aware, the United Tong So Doo Federation wants to urge anyone with information to cooperate with the GBI," said Master in Federation, Stephanie Matos. "Give any information they might have, so we can get this thing behind us."

Ary taught at the Kingsland, Georgia Pak's Karate Academy location. When Channel 4 arrived at the location Friday night, we weren't allowed inside.

Grandmaster Pak explained that he doesn't operate the satellite locations like Kingsland and Brunswick. The academies however do use Pak's name to describe his teaching methods to students.


About the Author

Kent Justice co-anchors News4Jax's 5 p.m., 10 and 11 p.m. newscasts weeknights and reports on government and politics. He also hosts "This Week in Jacksonville," Channel 4's hot topics and politics public affairs show each Sunday morning at 9 a.m.

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