If you or someone you know needs resources or support related to sexual violence, contact the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault’s 24/7 hotline at 800-871-7741.
A former Bangor-area taekwondo instructor accused of sexual assault against a girl appeared in court Monday.
John Keeler, 59, was charged in Penobscot County Superior Court with 10 counts of gross sexual assault against a child under 12, as well as counts of unlawful sexual contact against a child under 12, sexual misconduct with a child under 12 years old and unlawful sexual touching.
He did not enter a plea, as is standard in felony cases. The case will be referred to a grand jury.
Keeler worked as a taekwondo instructor in the Bangor area, the Penobscot County District Attorney’s Office said. He was arrested by Bangor police Friday.
The charges stem from alleged sexual assaults in 2023 in Bangor against an 11-year-old family member, according to the affidavit in court records. Keeler would be alone with the girl when he took her to taekwondo lessons.
Various types of sexual assault, including penetration and oral sex, are described in the affidavit. Keeler told the girl he would kill himself if she ever told anyone about the assault, according to the affidavit.
Keeler denies the allegations, attorney Shamara Bailey said.
Keeler was granted a $50,000 cash or $100,000 cash surety bail, which he had not posted at the time of publication. He is in the Penobscot County Jail.
