There was a murmur of voices as 28-year-old Tyler LeClerc was led into the courtroom in an orange jumpsuit, surrounded by court officers, his hands cuffed to his waist.

Families of LeClerc's former students filled about half of Judge Jessica Segal's courtroom at the Dutchess County Court building in downtown Poughkeepsie.

One couple stood as LeClerc was escorted into the courtroom, about to say something, before a court officer told them to sit down.

Another man shouted expletives toward LeClerc as he left the courtroom.

Judge Segal updated LeClerc's indictment to include 42 counts: six counts of criminal sexual act, one count of first-degree sexual abuse, 17 counts of forcible touching and 18 counts of third-degree sexual abuse.

Prosecutors said the incidents happened between March 2021 and February 2025 at several locations, and involved four victims.

Jonathan D'Agostino sighed and shook his when asked how he explained the charges to his 8-year-old son who was a student of LeClerc.

D'Agostino said his son was not among the victims but still affects his family as well as the rest of a large local martial arts community.

LeClerc's family owns LeClerc's Martial Arts, which has six locations in Dutchess and Ulster counties.

"It's very difficult because there are the actual victims," D'Agostino said, "and then there are also all the kids that attended his school whose lives have drastically changed since all this went down."

Judge Segal adjourned proceedings until April 24.

LeClerc has not made bail and remains at the Dutchess County Jail.

"Hopefully we'll find closure, and everybody will be able to continue on," D'Agostino said with another sigh. "I just hope everybody heals."

LeClerc has been ordered not to contact affected families, nor have someone else contact the families on his behalf.

Due to a state civil rights law that prohibits the release of certain court documents relating to victims of sex crimes, the actual indictment has not been shared with the news media.

"No child should ever feel unsafe in a place meant to foster discipline and respect," District Attorney Anthony Parisi said Tuesday in a statement. "We will not tolerate any actions that endanger the well-being of our children."

LeClerc's attorney declined comment for this story.