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An investigation by the Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office has led to the arrest of a 71-year-old judo instructor and summer camp staff member following allegations of sexual violence against a 10-year-old girl at a recreational program in the Pigneto district.
Porta Maggiore Police Execute Custody Order
According to judicial records, officers from the Porta Maggiore police commissariat executed a custody order against the 71-year-old suspect. Investigators documented the sequence of events in a four-page detention order issued by the preliminary investigations judge of the Rome Tribunal. The suspect, widely recognized within martial arts circles in the Italian capital, worked at the facility as a secretary handling registrations and administrative tasks while also presenting himself as a leading figure within the program.
The formal investigation opened after the victim’s mother filed a complaint on July 30, 2026, upon collecting her daughter from the facility. Law enforcement documents state that the alleged offenses took place between July 20 and July 30, 2026, inside a summer camp set up within a local school in the Pigneto neighborhood. Prosecutors have charged the man with aggravated sexual violence, citing the victim’s age—under fourteen years old—as well as the abuse of physical and psychological inferiority and the exploitation of his trusted custodial role at the recreational facility.
Behavioral Shifts Prompt Mother’s Complaint
The inquiry began when the victim’s mother noticed an abrupt change in her daughter’s behavior and prompted the child to speak about what had happened. As detailed in the investigative file, the young girl disclosed to camp educators that the suspect had touched her inside her underwear on at least two occasions while they were alone together. One educator noticed the child crying immediately after the incidents and alerted the facility’s director.
Hospital Evaluation Confirms Child’s Statements
Following the initial report, the camp administration removed the suspect from the premises. The morning after the disclosure, the victim’s parents took her to a hospital in Rome, where medical specialists conducted an evaluation. During the clinical interview, the child confirmed her initial statements and indicated that the behavior had occurred on multiple occasions. Investigators are also examining previous complaints against the man involving historical allegations of pedofilia, which are currently under review by authorities to determine the full scope of his background.
Scrutiny Mounts Over Youth Program Oversight
The case has prompted heightened scrutiny regarding oversight and background screening protocols for personnel working in youth recreational programs across Rome. The facility’s management acted immediately upon receiving the staff notification, dismissing the administrative worker before police involvement escalated. Legal proceedings remain active as prosecutors gather additional witness testimonies and examine documentation related to the summer camp’s operational management.
Judicial authorities continue to review the case files to verify whether any further protective measures are required for other children who attended the program. Further updates from the Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office are expected as the preliminary inquiry moves toward trial proceedings.
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