Man denies lewd acts

BURBANK — A 36-year-old Burbank man pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges that he molested two teenage boys, 12 and 15, whom he allegedly met while working and taking classes at JK Tae Kwon Do studio, officials said.

Suphachai Leeisaranukul, who also goes by Chris Lee, was arraigned Wednesday at Burbank Superior Court on seven felony counts of lewd acts with a child under 14 and three felony counts of lewd acts against a child under 14 and 15, according to court documents.

“[Molestation allegations] are easy to make, difficult to shake, ” Leeisaranukul’s attorney, Dana Cole, said.

The 15-year-old boy told a friend’s mother that Leeisaranukul had molested him. She contacted the Burbank Police Department, who began investigating the boy’s allegation, Sgt. Robert Quesada said.

During the investigation, police discovered that a 12-year-old boy was also allegedly molested, he said.

The boys were students at the same Tae Kwon Do studio Leeisaranukul went to, Quesada said.

“That’s how he was able to gain their confidence and do what he did,” he said.

Police say Leeisaranukul was an instructor, but Cole said he was not employed at JK Tae Kwon Do studio in Burbank.

Leeisaranukul sparred with some of the martial arts students and helped the studio with routine chores, such as throwing out the trash, Cole said.

Leeisaranukul took black belt classes and helped with computers at the studio, and the boys previously took classes there, but are not currently enrolled, JK Tae Kwon Do manager Daniel Lim said.

The molestation allegations are “pretty upsetting,” he said.

“He was a very nice guy,” Lim said.

Parents should be aware of their children’s friends, and they should listen to their instincts if they have concerns about a person who spends a lot of time with their children, Quesada said.

“A lot of these people gain the trust of these young boys,” he said.

Police are looking for other victims who may have been molested, Quesada said.

“Maybe as soon as they see his picture, maybe some of the kids will break down and tell their parents or maybe tell somebody at school because that’s how this case kind of broke,” he said.

Anyone with details about Leeisaranukul should call Det. Brian Gordon at (818) 238-3255.

Leeisaranukul is being in Los Angeles County jail on $760,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 18 at Burbank Superior Court.

 VERONICA ROCHA covers public safety and the courts. She may be reached at (818) 637-3232 or by e-mail at veronica.rocha@ latimes.com.