Instructor gets
another indictment

A dance teacher accused of sex abuse by
four former students faces another charge

An Aiea dance teacher awaiting trial in December for molesting four of his former students was indicted by an Oahu grand jury yesterday on an additional charge involving a fifth student.

Daniel E. Jones, 25, faces a third-degree sexual assault charge for touching a student's genitals on one occasion between July 1, 2004, and June 20. He was arrested on the newest charge Friday and is expected to make his first District Court appearance today.

Myron Takemoto, Jones' attorney, said yesterday the timing of the newest charge is suspect given they came three months after the first set of allegations were reported and nearly eight months after the incidents allegedly occurred.

"For whatever reason she didn't disclose it at the time the incidents took place," Takemoto said. "At this point, we are very eager to address the charges and we will be doing so in court."

Just last month, police learned that the girl was alleging she had been sexually assaulted by Jones approximately during the same period as the other four girls.

According to police, the 12-year-old girl, now 13, had been taking dance classes at the Rosalie Woodson Dance Academy since age 3 and has known Jones for the last 10 years. She told police sometime between July 1, 2004 to Nov. 30, 2004, that she and Jones were alone inside an office at the academy when he allegedly told her to sit on his lap and began touching her, court documents said.

Circuit Judge Derrick Chan approved bail at $50,000. Jones posted that amount Saturday and was released.

Jones was first indicted in April on 17 counts of sexual assault, including four counts of first-degree sexual assault involving four female students. He pleaded not guilty to those cases and is backed by many friends and family, including the dance studio's founder who expressed utmost confidence in him.

Jones' trial, which was expected to start July 5, was continued last month at the defense's request for more time to do additional investigation. The trial was reset to Dec. 5.

Jones is expected to be arraigned in Circuit Court at a later date on the newest charge.