Man Jailed In Abuse Case Now Accused Of Murder Solicitation
PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) - A Pennsylvania karate instructor who was jailed after he was accused of molesting students is now charged with trying to solicit the murder of the alleged victims in the case.
Michael Scherbanic, 29, is a former karate instructor from South Park.
He is facing child sexual assault charges and is currently in the Allegheny County Jail, awaiting trial in five cases involving five different victims. The cases involve juvenile male students from Scherbanic's karate school.
The former karate instructor owned Tang Soo Do Karate College in North Versailles. That's where he was accused of sexually assaulting a student during a sleepover at the karate school in 2016.
But now, Scherbanic is facing a new list of charges. Police say an investigation "uncovered an elaborate criminal plan to intimidate victims, recruit witnesses to perjure themselves and obstruct the prosecution in five criminal cases."
Investigators say Scherbanic conspired with his cellmate, who eventually ratted him out to police.
Lisa Washington's Report:
He's facing 27 counts is criminal solicitation. Five of those counts include criminal homicide.
Fast forward to February 2017, when police interviewed an inmate at the Allegheny County Jail. He's being called "witness one" in the criminal complaint.
"Witness one" shared a cell with Scherbanic. Investigators say that inmate came forward and told police that Scherbanic allegedly solicited him to participate in the killings of the five victims.
That inmate also told police he believes Scherbanic may have solicited other inmates, too.
"Witness one" told police Scherbanic offered to pay him thousands of dollars and a lifetime of free karate lessons if he carried out the plan once he got out of jail.
According to the criminal complaint, "witness one" told investigators that Scherbanic knew the layout of one of the victim's homes and that he would give him a hand drawn map of the house showing where propane tanks were located. He also was encouraged to use C4 explosives.
"Witness one" also told police about multiple documents Scherbanic allegedly created detailing a plan to kill the victims and referred to it as Order 66 from Star Wars.
Officials say "witness one" went on to say that his plan included several former karate students. Police say they wiretapped a conversation between "witness one" and Scherbanic to get proof of the plan.
Scherbanic's trial for the sexual assault cases is scheduled for April 4 at the courthouse. He's awaiting a preliminary hearing on the new charges.
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(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
