Taekwondo instructor charged with sexually assaulting 13-year-old girl during private lessons

By NATASHA ANDERSON, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 21:13, 12 April 2026 | Updated: 21:15, 12 April 2026 A taekwondo instructor has been charged with sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl during private lessons at a Pennsylvania martial arts studio. Steven Charles Burnisky, 22, is suspected of assaulting the teenage student on multiple occasions at a studio in Heidelberg.  Police did not specifically name the studio involved, but the Daily Mail has learned that the suspect previously worked as an instructor at Steel City ATA Martial Arts.  He was arrested Friday and taken to Allegheny County Jail, where he is being held while he awaits arraignment, according to the Allegheny County Police Department. Burnisky faces seven felony charges including sexual assault, deviate sexual intercourse, unlawful contact with a minor, statutory sexual assault, sexual assault by a sports official or volunteer, dissemination to minors, and corruption of minors.  He also faces five counts of indecent assault, according to charging documents obtained by the Daily Mail. Detectives launched their investigation into the 4th-degree black belt and taekwondo champion on March 9 after the alleged victim's mother discovered sexually explicit text messages with Burnisky on her daughter's phone. Burnisky became the girl's taekwondo instructor in 2024 and began showing inappropriate physical affection toward her last summer, the complaint stated. Investigators claim the alleged sexual assault started early this year. Taekwondo instructor Steven Charles Burnisky, 22, has been charged with sexually assaulting his 13-year-old student during private lessons Burnisky, seen with a student, previously worked as an instructor at Steel City ATA Martial Arts Allegheny County Police did not specifically name Steel City ATA in their press release, but charging documents note the alleged assaults took place at the studio where Burnisky was teaching the girl The victim told police that she met Burnisky in summer 2024 after she started attending his taekwondo classes. She claimed their interactions became more intimate last summer when Burnisky started giving her hugs and kissing her on the lips, the complaint said.  By the start of 2026, the pair's relationship had evolved and they would kiss every day during her private lessons at the studio, she told police. They would cuddle while watching anime cartoons on his cell phone and he would kiss her chest, legs, and stomach, the court filing alleged. The pair began having intercourse and oral sex in February, the charging documents said.  She alleged that they had sex during approximately half of their weekly visits and that every sexual act between them took place at the studio. Burnisky's employment at Steel City ATA Martial Arts ended last month, according to a March 10 email obtained by WTAE. The studio wrote, in part, that 'due to some private and unfortunate events that occurred recently, Mr Burnisky is no longer employed with us.' Studio officials declined to disclose further details about the situation, the outlet reported.  Burnisky faces seven felony charges including sexual assault, deviate sexual intercourse, unlawful contact with a minor, statutory sexual assault, sexual assault by a sports official or volunteer, dissemination to minors, and corruption of minors Burnisky appears to have a long history with Steel City ATA, with the studio even hailing his accomplishments as both an instructor and student on its social media pages Burnisky's employment at Steel City ATA Martial Arts ended last month. He is seen with a student in an old photo shared on the studio's Facebook page Burnisky has featured several times on the Steel City ATA Martial Arts Facebook page, with the studio hailing his accomplishments in the sport. In May 2024, officials congratulated him on winning the Pennsylvania State Championship in Traditional Weapons. There are also multiple photos and videos of him working with students. Burnisky appears to have a long history with Steel City ATA, with the studio even celebrating his accomplishments as a student in June 2019 when he was preparing to compete in the Northeast District Championships. Community members say they were 'shocked' to learn of the alleged assault and at least one has called for Burnisky to spend significant time behind bars. 'Dude, I'm like shocked. Considering the police department is right there. The council building is the same building. How does somebody get away with this?' Joyce Tenney, whose relatives train at the studio, told WPXI. 'He should go to jail for a relatively decent amount of time and he should never be able to work around children,' she added. Tenney has also urged parents to ensure their children are never alone with just one instructor. The Daily Mail has approached Steel City ATA for comment. It is unclear whether Burnisky has retained legal counsel.  No comments have so far been submitted. 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