NYPD OFFICER/MARTIAL ARTS INSTRUCTOR ARRAIGNED
IN FEDERAL COURT FOR TRANSPORTING MINORS FROM NEW YORK
TO NEW JERSEY FOR PURPOSES OF ILLEGAL SEX

MICHAEL J. GARCIA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that TRENT YOUNG, 39, a New York City police officer, was arraigned this morning in White Plains federal court following his indictment last week on charges of transporting minors from New York to New Jersey for purposes of illegal sexual activity. According to the Indictment filed in White Plains federal court and a previously filed Complaint:

YOUNG transported minors on three separate occasions from Middletown, New York, to his martial arts studio in West Milford, New Jersey, and engaged in sexual activity with the minors. These victims, who are now 16 years old and 17 years old respectively, were both martial arts students of YOUNG’s.

In 2005, YOUNG required a victim ("Victim 1") to sign a document stating that Victim 1 would be obedient. That day, YOUNG stated that he was going to test Victim 1's obedience and told Victim 1 to take off her clothes. While undressed, YOUNG touched Victim 1's breasts. Thereafter, sexual activity, including intercourse, occurred between YOUNG and Victim 1 in Middletown, New York, and in West Milford, New Jersey, at YOUNG’s martial arts studio called “Iron Tiger.” Victim 2 began taking martial arts lessons from YOUNG in Middletown, New York, in or about March 2005, and several months later, YOUNG began to engage in sexual activities with Victim 2, including sexual intercourse.

Count One of the Indictment charges that, in or about the fall of 2006, YOUNG transported Victim 1 from Middletown, New York, to West Milford, New Jersey, for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with Victim 1. Count Two charges YOUNG with the same conduct in or about September 2007. Count Three charges that, in or about the summer of 2006, YOUNG transported Victim 2 from Middletown, New York, to West Milford, New Jersey, for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with Victim 2.

Following his arrest in January 2008, YOUNG was detained without bail and continues to be detained pending trial. The case was assigned to United States District Judge KENNETH M. KARAS, who scheduled an initial pre-trial conference for Tuesday, April 15, at noon.

If convicted, YOUNG faces on each of Counts 1 and 2 a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison, and on Count 3 a mandatory sentence of 5 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison

Mr. GARCIA said that the investigation is ongoing. Any individuals with relevant information should contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI") in Goshen, New York, at (845) 615-1700.

Mr. GARCIA praised the efforts and assistance of the FBI, the Middletown Police Department, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, the Rockland County Sheriff’s Department, the West Milford, New Jersey, Police Department, and the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office.

Assistant United States Attorney MARCIA S. COHEN is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Complaint and the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

08-087