Dutchess County martial arts teacher pleads guilty to child sex crimes

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Dutchess County District Attorney's Office (DCDA) announced on Thursday that 27-year-old Tyler LeClerc pleaded guilty in a child sex crime case. The Hyde Park man was arraigned on a 42-count indictment back in March which accused him of sexually abusing students at multiple locations of LeClerc’s Martial Arts School throughout the county, where he served as an instructor.

According to the DCDA, LeClerc admitted to engaging in sexual acts with a minor on March 11, 2023 in Lagrange and on March 10, 2024 in Pleasant Valley. He also confessed to making sexual contact with a child younger than 13 in Lagrange in April and October of 2024, as well as forcibly touching two people for his own sexual gratification multiple times between May 2023 and February 2025.

LeClerc pleaded guilty before Judge Jessica Segal to two counts of third-degree criminal sexual act, one count of first-degree attempted sexual abuse, and two counts of forcible touching. Senior Assistant District Attorney Joseph Gruner prosecuted the case.

"This plea agreement was made following the unanimous request of the victims’ parents, who wished to spare their children the emotional trauma of testifying in a public trial," Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi stated. "Our office’s top priority has always been the well-being of the victims, and this resolution reflects the families’ desire to achieve justice while protecting their children from further harm."

LeClerc is expected to be sentenced to 10 and 12 years in state prison in accordance with his plea agreement. His sentencing is scheduled for September 3.