Police say a Montgomery County karate instructor accused of sexually abusing several boys fled the United States.
Authorities began their investigation into Alexander Soumbadze late last year after another police department informed them that someone downloading child pornography may be living in the county. Police identified Soumbadze as their suspect and searched his Bethesda home on April 1.
Soumbadze, 26, confessed to trading and receiving child pornography, and police took several electronic devices from his home. During their investigation, police found videos of Soumbadze inappropriately touching and engaging in sexual acts with young boys. The vicitms appear to know that they are being recorded.
Soumbadze allegedly recorded the videos before October 2011 at DC Martial Arts at 6936 Wisconsin Avenue in Chevy Chase. In October 2011, the karate studio changed ownership and was renamed On The Mat Sports. Soumbadze was a partner in the business, and has been affiliated with the karate studio since he was a young child.
A few days after police spoke with Soumbadze, they learned he fled the United States and may have been heading to the country of Georgia. A warrant has been issued for his arrest for possession of child pornography.
The investigation into the seized videos is ongoing. Investigators are working to identify the victims so they can determine what criminal acts may have occurred. Anyone with information is asked to call police.
