Robert Gavin, Times Union, Albany, N.Y. –
ROTTERDAM — A Colonie man who taught at a Tae Kwon Do martial arts school in Duanesburg has been charged with raping a child on two occasions — including once at the school.
Christopher Gallup, 27, of Sand Creek Road was arrested Thursday and charged with second-degree rape. He had initially been charged May 17 with possessing child pornography. Colonie police investigators said they seized several computers and media storage devices with child pornography from his apartment.
The probe started when State Police were tipped that Gallup was allegedly posting images on the Internet.
Authorities said the rape victim — identified as being younger than 15 at the time of the incidents — came forward after Colonie police arrested Gallup.
Gallup, who is believed to be active in the Tae Kwon Do community, taught in several locations over the last few years. He told Colonie police he worked in the cafe at Barnes and Noble in Colonie Center.
Police say the rapes took place at the school and a home in Rotterdam. Gallup, who was arraigned in Rotterdam Justice Court, is being held in the Schenectady County jail in lieu of $40,000 bail or $80,000 bond.
