Schuylerville Taekwondo Instructor Arrested in Child Contact Case
State Police say the 33-year-old instructor met the child through his martial arts business, but the alleged contact occurred elsewhere.
A Schuylerville taekwondo instructor has been arrested after New York State Police said an investigation found that he allegedly had sexual contact with a child under the age of 16. Patrick R. Hall, 33, of Schuylerville, was charged Saturday, Aug. 22, with sexual misconduct and endangering the welfare of a child. Both charges are misdemeanors, according to reporting on the State Police investigation.
Police said Hall met the child while working as an instructor at P.R.I.D.E. Taekwondo in Schuylerville. Investigators stressed that the alleged sexual contact did not take place at the martial arts studio.
The case remains under investigation, and State Police are asking anyone with information — including anyone who believes they may also have been victimized — to contact investigators.
Hall has been charged, not convicted. The allegations against him have not been proven in court.
State Police Investigation Began Aug. 21
According to accounts of the State Police investigation, troopers received information on Friday, Aug. 21, alleging that an adult had sexual contact with a child.
Investigators identified Hall as the adult involved and determined that he had met the child, who is younger than 16, through P.R.I.D.E. Taekwondo. Police allege the sexual contact occurred at another location in Schuylerville during July and August 2026.
Hall was arrested the following day.
The charges are:
- Sexual Misconduct
- Endangering the Welfare of a Child
Authorities have not publicly identified the child, and the Utica Phoenix will not publish information that could identify an alleged minor victim of sexual misconduct.
Hall Is Associated With P.R.I.D.E. Taekwondo
P.R.I.D.E. Taekwondo’s website identifies Patrick Hall as its lead instructor and says he opened the Schuylerville martial arts school to the public in 2018. The business advertises taekwondo programs for children and adults, including classes beginning at age 4.
The studio website describes Hall as a sixth-degree black belt with more than two decades of taekwondo experience and lists a number of competitive accomplishments.
Independent competition records also list Patrick Hall representing P.R.I.D.E. Taekwondo as the winner in his division at the 2026 U.S. Open Championships.
Those details are important because State Police say Hall first came into contact with the alleged victim through his role as an instructor.
However, authorities have specifically said the alleged sexual contact did not occur at the taekwondo business.
That distinction matters. Nothing released by police alleges that the studio itself was the location of the reported misconduct, and no information reviewed by the Utica Phoenix indicates that other instructors at the business have been accused of wrongdoing.
Hall Arraigned in Saratoga Town Court
Following his arrest, Hall was processed at the State Police barracks in Schuylerville and arraigned in Saratoga Town Court.
Police initially reported that he was remanded to the Saratoga County Correctional Facility in lieu of $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 bond.
The Times Union subsequently reported that Hall had been released from custody.
No conviction has occurred, and Hall is entitled to the presumption of innocence while the criminal case proceeds through the courts.
State Police Seek Additional Information
One of the most significant parts of the State Police announcement is the request for the public’s assistance.
Authorities are asking anyone who has information connected to the investigation — or anyone who believes they may also have been a victim of Hall — to contact New York State Police.
Information can be provided to State Police at:
518-457-6811
The Times Union reported that information may also be submitted by email to crimetip@troopers.ny.gov.
The request does not establish that additional victims exist. Rather, it indicates investigators are continuing to gather information and want to hear directly from people who may have relevant knowledge.
Why Careful Language Matters in Cases Involving Children
Cases involving alleged sexual contact with minors require particular care in reporting.
The accusations are serious, but an arrest is not a finding of guilt. Police reports describe allegations and the evidence investigators believe was sufficient to support criminal charges. A court ultimately determines whether prosecutors can prove those charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
At the same time, protecting the privacy of a minor is essential.
Responsible reporting therefore requires several principles:
- Do not identify the child.
- Clearly distinguish allegations from proven facts.
- Avoid speculation about additional victims.
- Report accurately what investigators say occurred.
- Correct or update the story as the court case develops.
The Utica Phoenix will follow those standards as additional information becomes available.
What Happens Next?
The investigation remains active.
Police have not publicly released detailed evidence underlying the allegations beyond saying that Hall allegedly had sexual contact with the child during July and August after meeting the minor through his work as a taekwondo instructor.
Prosecutors and the court will determine how the criminal case moves forward.
Future proceedings could provide more information about the allegations, evidence, court conditions and any response from Hall or his attorney.
Until then, the charges remain allegations.
Community Members With Information Are Urged to Contact Police
For parents, students and residents of Schuylerville, the arrest is likely to raise understandable concerns because the accused worked in a setting that serves children.
But those concerns should not become rumors or unsupported accusations.
Anyone with firsthand information should provide it directly to law enforcement rather than circulate allegations through social media.
State Police have specifically asked anyone with relevant information or anyone who believes they may have been victimized to contact investigators at 518-457-6811.
The Utica Phoenix will continue to follow the case as verified information becomes available.
Editor’s Note: Patrick R. Hall has been charged with crimes but has not been convicted. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Sources
- New York State Police investigation as reported Aug. 22-23, 2026
- Times Union reporting on Hall’s arrest and subsequent release
- P.R.I.D.E. Taekwondo public website and instructor biography
