Martial Arts Instructor Charged With Statutory Rape

Fuquay-Varina, N.C. — A fired martial arts instructor in Wake County faces charges that he had an inappropriate relationship with a student.

Investigators said tae-kwon-do teacher Joseph Gailes is accused of having sex with a 15-year-old girl.

A search warrant detailed an alleged relationship between the 31-year-old instructor and a student, including a sexual encounter in a hotel room during a Durham martial arts tournament in September of last year.

"It's like finding out there's a potential predator in your family. I've known him for almost 10 years,” said Michael Wegmann, master instructor at Vision Martial Arts.

According to the search warrant, the girl said Gailes bought her gifts throughout their relationship that included underwear from Victoria's Secret. The warrant also stated that Gailes bought underwear for another juvenile student.

“It's kind of like being a school teacher, occasionally you will find a bad one out of a thousand,” Wegmann said.

Gailes had been an instructor at Vision Martial Arts in Fuquay Varina for seven years. The popular instructor was suspended after allegations surfaced that he was having an inappropriate relationship with a student.

Parents received a letter about Gailes termination after an investigation was launched last February. He has since been charged with three counts of statutory rape.

Parents at Vision Martial Arts declined to comment Wednesday night.

“Some at first did not believe the allegations. Some are taking it far more seriously these days, since he's been arrested,” Wegmann said.

Gailes was being held in the Wake County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

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Latest Comments

tkdbabe, for you to lash out as you did on the other commenters was an extremely immature and uncalled for act. For someone who would like to represent tkd in a positive way, you aren't doing such a great job. The ATA is supposed to be a prime example of the community's finest and assuming you're in the ATA since you seem to be so knowledgeable about it, again, you're not really putting out the greatest example.

AliceTheAnarchist
January 5, 2008 3:24 a.m.

I am a member of ATA and have been a student in both Apex & F-V I was a student of Joe's and Mr. Wegmann. I think that too much has been said already most by people that only know part of the true of just hear say. I think it's time to stop talking and let's move forward. There is enough blame to place on all parties and every one needs to take ownership to make sure the future is better. ATA is a fine organization but Vision Martial Arts could learn a valuble lesson in putting the students first and focus less on the $$$$$ - That's where Mr. Wegmann falls very short - he runs a black belt wholesale house for anyone with a big enough check book. Things like this don't happen when you care about the students not the dollar sign. Martial Arts black belt should be earned not bought. ATA = ATM deep in your wallet. Thanks #1bbata

thebeastfromtheeast1729
January 4, 2008 10:29 p.m.

Chin-up, your analogy concerning the steakhouse is invalid because the ATA studio did not shut down. Secondly, not everyone in the studio should be so quick to believe the statements made about Mr. Gailes. Innocent until proven guilty, remember? Thirdly, fifteen years old is hardly a child these days. Just because the law says 18 is an adult does not mean that until the day we turn 18 we still think like children. The girl should be held accountable for her actions. Lastly, I'd like to remind everyone that people who are accused of actions like these are still people. Think about how you'd feel if you were accused of this. People are so quick to believe the bad things about others, but hardly willing to give them a chance. One final thing, that picture hardly does him justice, as should be well-known by now, the media misconstrues a lot. Remember this when you are so quick to believe everything you read.

AliceTheAnarchist
January 4, 2008 7:21 p.m.

superninjachic

Mr. Gailes should have never had ANY friendships or ANY contact with his students outside of the school. Master Weg. knew he did activities outside of Taekwondo with these students and should have MANADATED Mr. Gailes to stop. Mr. Gailes was a mentor, but he was also in a paid position (paid very well probably) and he and Master Weg were running a business where they demand hefty prices for rheir services. Mr. Gailes left himself open to this (wether guilty or not) to the situation he is in.

poohperson2000
January 4, 2008 6:58 p.m.

If anyone was smart they would call the child protective services on her parents because they let it happen.