The Dismantling of Leclerc's Martial Arts

In February 2025, Tyler Leclerc, the youngest son of Robert P. Leclerc Sr., was arrested. Tyler was the owner of the Leclerc’s Martial Arts–Arthursburg location. The news came as a shock to the entire Leclerc’s Martial Arts staff and broader community. Tyler remains incarcerated, serving out his sentence. Unfortunately, the attention never remained on Tyler and instead shifted to an incident from 30 years ago that had no relevance.

Within hours of Tyler's arrest, members of the community redirected attention toward Robert P. Leclerc, Sr., reviving and mischaracterizing a relationship he was involved in nearly 30 years ago. In 1996, at the age of 22, Robert publicly dated a 16-year-old young woman with the knowledge, permission, and encouragement of her parents. Shortly after opening his first martial arts school in March of that year, he ended the relationship upon recognizing that it was inappropriate. Several months later, she filed charges in early 1997. Comprehensive court evaluation and psychological testing revealed the relationship was an isolated incidence. Robert took responsibility for his mistake, served five years of probation and was formally deemed a no-risk offender by the legal system.

Following that period, Robert P. Leclerc, Sr. moved forward with his life. He married, raised two children in the same community, and devoted himself to building successful martial arts schools. Over the next three decades, he worked to be a role model with exemplary character—contributing positively to thousands of lives both personally and professionally. Many within the schools were aware of his past and continued to support him based on his consistent actions, integrity, and the meaningful impact of his teaching, mentorship, and leadership within the martial arts community.

In the days following Tyler’s arrest, several individuals embarked on a campaign of misinformation and slanderous exaggeration of the facts. This misinformation, as well  as exaggerated claims, rapidly spread online and within the community. In less than a week, these actions irreparably damaged Leclerc’s Martial Arts as it had existed for 30 years. False statements continued to be maliciously circulated with the intent to undermine the Leclerc family’s reputation, credibility and character. What occurred extended beyond criticism into harassment, cyberbullying, and defamatory conduct, affecting not only Robert Leclerc Sr., but also his wife, eldest son, staff, and hundreds of students.

Past events—long resolved and well known to many—were reframed in increasingly extreme and inaccurate ways. Local media outlets published defamatory content without adequate verification, further amplifying the harm. Administrators of social media pages and channels deliberately controlled the narrative by deleting comments that expressed support for Robert P. Leclerc, Sr., and subsequently blocking the individuals who posted them from further participation in the discussion. As a result, factual information was prevented from being widely shared, allowing a narrative—constructed by those intent on damaging his reputation and legacy—to take hold. Unfortunately, this distorted version of events continues to be widely believed by the public.

Immediate and painful decisions were required in February 2025. At the time, Leclerc’s Martial Arts operated six schools serving nearly 800 students. Several locations were closed, and three were sold to senior staff members who rebranded and continue to move forward independently. Other senior staff chose to relocate with the Leclerc family to rebuild, ensuring the remaining staff could preserve their livelihoods.

The primary goal throughout was to protect the professional futures of full-time staff. Doing so required the Leclerc family to leave behind a 30-year legacy in Dutchess County, including a world-class tournament team of dozens of world champion athletes who had competed internationally. Many of those athletes stopped training altogether after losing access to Robert and Laura Leclerc, while others withdrew under the weight of community pressure or widespread misinformation.

The emotional toll on staff, students and families was profound. Months were spent grieving the loss of a community, a purpose, and a way of life that had been built over decades.

The harassment and cyberbullying lasted for more than a year, disrupting personal lives and livelihoods, causing irreparable harm to the Leclerc family and those who chose to support them.

One of the most painful aspects for Robert and Laura Leclerc—and for those who chose to stand by them—was the profound sense of alienation from former staff members, school owners in both the United States and Wales, U.K., as well as many students and parents. Many of these individuals had known Robert P. Leclerc, Sr. and his full history for years, yet chose to continue benefitting from his instruction, leadership and professional mentorship. Others had observed his character and conduct over time and knew him to be a man with a generous heart who never claimed to be beyond mistakes or regrets.  Even knowing him, many who learned about the decision he took responsibility for 30 years ago chose to believe the defamatory and exaggerated claims, instead of seeking out or listening to the truth.

The Leclerc family continues to stand by the truth and remains committed to serving others with integrity. They encourage reflection, reason, and curiosity over rumor and malice—and ask that the many positive contributions made to both the Dutchess County community and the martial arts world be remembered. There are far too many to list.