Two students from Lloyd Irvin's grappling school, who were accused of sexually assaulting an intoxicated female acquaintance from their gym in a nearby parking garage on New Year's Eve, went in front of a jury of their peers back on Oct. 8, 2013.
Today, one of those men has been set free.
Matthew Maldonado, 26, was found not guilty on charges of kidnapping and first and second degree sexual abuse. The alleged incident was captured by surveillance video and presented in court; however, defense attorneys argued the woman was there by her own free will and the sex was consensual.
The jury agreed.
Maldonado gives his first statement following the verdict (via ABC 7 News):
"For 10 months I have been incarcerated for something I didn't do. From the beginning, I knew I was innocent. My dreams are just to go keep continuing what I was doing before you know and try to win and many championships as many I can."
His alleged accomplice, Nicholas Schultz, 21, is still on trial.
Irvin was quick to denounce his students following their "deplorable" and "disgraceful" act. In addition, he was forced to terminate his affiliate program after coming under fire from "lynch mobs" calling for his head. Irvin was acquitted of his own rape charges back in 1989.
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