Elizabethton taekwondo instructor charged with statutory rape of teenage student

ELIZABETHTON — The Elizabethton Police Department arrested Danny Brown Jr., 52, on July 15, following a 4-month investigation and presentment of the case to a Carter County grand jury. The grand jury returned a true bill, charging Brown with two counts of statutory rape by an authority figure, two counts of sexual battery by an authority figure, sexual exploitation of a minor, dissemination of tobacco to an minor, providing false information and patronizing prostitution. On March 9, the police department began investigating a possible sexual encounter between a 15-year-old girl and a 51-year-old man. The next day, a forensic interview with the victim was conducted. She said Brown was her taekwondo instructor. Based on the interview, a search warrant was issued on Brown's Martial Arts, located at 617 W. Elk Ave. The search warrant included Brown's cell phone. During the execution of the search warrant, Elizabethton Police Department Investigator Timothy Garland reported Brown said the victim had a crush on him, but was mad at him because he didn't buy her a "vape". When asked if he had ever bought the girl such an item, Brown said he had not. On March 11, investigator Travis Lunceford downloaded all electronic equipment belonging to Brown. Investigators said at this point, it appeared Brown had been untruthful in his verbal and written statements to them. Investigators said there was evidence Brown had purchased a smoking device for the 15-year-old. Investigators said it was also discovered that Brown had engaged in solicitation of prostitution. They reported that messages were recovered in which Brown engaged in communication with another woman, requesting sexual services in detail and negotiating a price of $120 for 30 minutes of service. Investigators said the negotiations included $120 for each woman "for both of you." Brown was arrested on July 15 and booked into the Carter County Detention Center. He was later released on a $25,000 bond. He will answer the charges in Carter County Criminal Court.