Police: convicted child rapist found working with kids in North Brookfield

NORTH BROOKFIELD, Mass. — A convicted child rapist from Barre was found working with children at a martial arts studio in North Brookfield and police were never notified.

"We're talking children. We're talking classes that are going on and this is something that is very alarming to me," said Chief Mark Smith with North Brookfield police.

A resident, who's a retired police officer, recognized 60-year-old David Sanderson from the sex offender registry and alerted police.

Sanderson has been working with children at the karate studio Eternal River School on North Main Street for at least six months, said police. Sanderson is supposed to notify police in his town of residence, Barre, of any changes in employment. Police say that never happened.

FOX25 pulled courts records in Worcester superior court that indicate in 1991, Sanderson was convicted of raping multiple children. In 1991, Sanderson was convicted of raping his karate students. He pleaded guilty to six counts of child rape, among other charges. Police said at least one of those victims claimed to be one of his karate students.

Sanderson was sentenced to 20 years in Concord State Prison and classified as a level 3 sex offender and served his time. FOX25 has learned his parole ended in June of 2009, as did any restrictions on him, other than registering with the sex offender registry.

Though Sanderson re-registered as a sex offender in May, police said he told them he was unemployed.

"I'm not saying that the system is broke, but certainly this has happened. And, I  think it is upon us to make sure that we look into it and see is there something better that we can be doing to make sure something like this doesn't happen again," said Smith.

Sanderson was arraigned last month and a condition of that arraignment is that he not have contact with anyone under the age of 16. He's expected back in court for a pre-trial hearing in June.

People who work in the area said they haven't seen anyone at the studio in a couple of weeks. FOX25 reached out to the owner of the karate studio, but they hung up when we called.

Cox Media Group