A local martial arts instructor awaiting trial on four felony charges, including a sexual abuse charge involving a former student, now faces a new charge of tampering with a witness.
Brant W. Perkins, 56, of Boothbay Harbor and formerly of Edgecomb, allegedly told another of his students to fabricate a journal of their jiujitsu sessions in order to establish an alibi defense against a child pornography possession charge, according to an affidavit by Maine State Police Detective Joshua Birmingham. The student told Birmingham that Perkins drove him to a store to buy a journal, repeatedly pressured him to complete the journal, and told him what to write for the day and time in question.
Perkins was arrested Jan. 23. A Lincoln County grand jury indicted him on charges of class C tampering with a witness or informant and class E violation of condition of release March 11.
Perkins was already under indictment on two counts of class B tampering with a victim and a single count each of class C possession of sexually explicit materials and class C sexual abuse of a minor. A Lincoln County grand jury indicted Perkins on those charges Sept. 9, 2013.
The sexual abuse of a minor charge stems from Perkins’ relationship with a 15-year-old female student in December 2012, according to court documents. He allegedly confessed to the conduct, according to Birmingham. He was arrested in March 2013.
The possession of sexually explicit materials charge stems from the alleged discovery of child pornography on Perkins’ cellphone during the investigation of the sexual abuse charge, according to Birmingham’s affidavit. The images were of a computer screen playing a video of girls under 12 engaging in sexually explicit activity with adult men.
Perkins attempted to use the journal to establish an alibi for the time when the cellphone photos were taken, according to Birmingham. The alibi quickly unraveled when his student confessed to fabricating the journal under pressure from Perkins.
The original two tampering charges stem from Perkins’ alleged attempts to influence the teenage girl’s statements to law enforcement.
The new charges have affected Perkins’ legal representation. Jonathan Hull withdrew as Perkins’ defense attorney Feb. 3. According to court documents, Hull will likely have to testify in the new tampering with a witness or informant charge. Justin Andrus now represents Perkins.
Hull had previously filed motions to suppress evidence and sever the charges so the four counts against Perkins would go to trial separately.
Perkins’ next court date on the four original counts is 9 a.m., Thursday, March 26. His arraignment on the new charges will take place at 8:30 a.m. April 27.
Perkins is currently being held without bail at Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset.
