Twin Cities martial arts instructor sentenced to workhouse for fondling teen

The operator of three martial arts centers in the Twin Cities area has been sentenced for fondling a teenager as she slept at his house to 60 days in the county workhouse, to avoid even a sip of alcohol and to be instructed on sexual boundaries.

The sentence of Warrior's Cove owner and instructor David W. Arnebeck, 49, in Hennepin County District Court last week included two years of probation and 305 days or time in the workhouse that was stayed, according to the county attorney's office. His time in the workhouse can be served on work release.

Arnebeck, of Minnetonka, pleaded guilty in Hennepin County District Court to fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct, a gross misdemeanor.

The Warrior's Cove facilities in St. Louis Park, Burnsville and Little Canada train clients of all ages, including children.

According to the criminal complaint, a 15-year-old girl was asleep last December during one of her frequent overnights at Arnebeck's house when he started touching her sexually over her clothing. She awoke, pushed Arnebeck's arm away and went into the bedroom of a juvenile who lives at the home.

Arnebeck's attorney, Robert Sicoli, said his client entered a "Norgaard plea," explaining that his client "was too drunk to remember what happened." The plea means Arnebeck doesn't admit to the act but acknowledged there was enough evidence to convict.

The sentence also requires that Arnebeck take a course on sexual boundaries, abstain from alcohol, not take illicit drugs and be subject to random testing for drugs and alcohol.

Paul Walsh