TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) -- A Lee County judge set bond at $1 million Tuesday for a man
arrested last week on child molestation charges.
James E. Dutschke,41, owns Tupelo Taekwondo Plus.
Law enforcement said based on their preliminary investigation, there could be more victims.
Tupelo police said their investigation started with an anonymous complaint.
seven-year-old girl complained she was touched inappropriately by Dutschke.
"We contacted the city to let them know because this particular business was inside the city of Tupelo, and that's when they informed us that they were investigating a very similar situation," said Lee County Sheriff Jim Johnson.
On Tuesday, sheriff's investigators searched his business, his home and his car and recovered a computer and a cell phone.
Based on city records, Tupelo Taekwondo Plus has been in business since 2005. It's now located on Rankin Extended, but the business also shows a past address on West Main Street.
Johnson said knowing that Dutschke has had contact with a number of kids over the years, there could be more victims.
"That's pretty normal for kids to keep quiet. But once the ice is broken and one of the children talk, it's not unusual for others to come forward," Johnson said.
But Dutschke said these accusations have been blown out of proportion.
"This very small molehill has been blown way out of proportion and has become a mountain of insurmountable proportions. I'm very eager to clear my name," said Dutschke as he was leaving Lee County Justice Court in handcuffs after his appearance.
If Dutschke is able to bond out of the Lee County Detention Center, he can not go near his business or make any contacts with students or their parents.
