Families enroll children in martial arts to build confidence, discipline, and strength. They trust instructors to respect boundaries and protect students. Allegations that a coach sexually exploited a young student demand a careful investigation into both the individual’s conduct and the safeguards surrounding that access.
Jose Alexandro Zamora, known as Alex or “Coach Alex,” faces felony charges following an investigation involving a student at Legendary Martial Arts in Surprise, Arizona. Authorities allege that sexual conduct began when the student was 14.
The case underscores a critical principle: adults hold responsibility for maintaining appropriate boundaries with children, regardless of the trust or admiration a student places in them.
Key Takeaways
- Surprise police arrested Jose Alexandro Zamora on October 28, 2026.
- Charges include sexual conduct with a minor, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and child enticement.
- Police identified Zamora as the student’s martial arts instructor and are seeking information about possible additional victims.
- Legendary Martial Arts says it removed Zamora after learning of the allegations and is cooperating with police.
- Potential civil claims require an examination of the evidence, institutional duties, and whether actionable failures contributed to harm.
What Are the Allegations Against Jose Alexandro Zamora?
In its public announcement, Surprise police said an anonymous tip prompted the investigation. Police described Zamora as a trusted adult who instructed the student and said he admitted to sexual involvement during an interview after receiving Miranda warnings.
FOX 10 Phoenix reported that court documents describe conduct beginning when the student was 14. Investigators obtained Instagram communications through search warrants. The outlet reported eight felony counts: six involving sexual conduct with a minor, one involving continuous sexual abuse of a child, and one involving child enticement.
Zamora is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. The allegations and reported statements remain subject to the court process.
What Has Legendary Martial Arts Said?
In a statement reported by FOX 10, Legendary Martial Arts said it learned of the allegations on October 28 and immediately removed Zamora, a manager, from the school. The gym said it was cooperating with Surprise police and contacting families directly.
That response is important to include. Public reporting reviewed for this article does not establish that the gym knew of the alleged abuse earlier or that it has been found legally responsible.
An investigation can examine both the response after discovery and the safeguards in place beforehand.
Understanding Grooming in a Coach-Student Relationship
RAINN’s guidance on grooming explains how an adult may cultivate trust and access before exploiting someone sexually. Grooming can involve secrecy, isolation, special attention, and gradual boundary violations. It can also extend to gaining the confidence of a child’s family or community.
In youth sports, mentorship and encouragement can be valuable. The concern arises when an adult uses that role to create private access, sexualize interactions, or make a child responsible for keeping secrets.
Potential warning signs include:
- Private messages that move beyond training or scheduling.
- Requests to conceal communication from parents.
- Sexual comments or inappropriate personal disclosures.
- Preferential treatment connected to private attention.
- Unnecessary isolation or unsupervised transportation.
These are general prevention concerns, not findings that every listed behavior occurred in this case.
A child’s attachment to an adult does not transfer responsibility for the adult’s conduct to the child.
Calling It a “Relationship” Does Not Resolve the Legal Questions
News reports sometimes use relationship language to describe allegations involving an adult and a minor. That wording should not obscure the age difference, authority, or alleged conduct.
Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-1405 defines sexual conduct with a minor in terms of intentionally or knowingly engaging in sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact with someone under 18. The statute’s classifications depend on factors including age and whether the accused held a position of trust; other statutory provisions and defenses may affect a particular case.
A criminal court must determine whether prosecutors establish the charged offenses. Outside the courtroom, families and youth programs should recognize that adults bear responsibility for appropriate boundaries.
Could Legendary Martial Arts Face Civil Liability?
Potentially, if evidence supports a legally recognized claim against the responsible business or individuals.
An arrest does not automatically establish employer liability. A civil investigation would need to examine the gym’s duties, what its decision-makers knew or reasonably should have known under applicable law, and whether any actionable failure contributed to harm.
Relevant questions may include:
- Hiring and retention: What screening occurred, and were any earlier concerns documented?
- Supervision: How did the program oversee instructors and managers?
- Communications: Did staff use approved channels that allowed appropriate adult oversight?
- Transportation: What rules governed staff vehicles, program vehicles, and rides involving minors?
- Reporting: Could students and parents raise concerns without going through the person involved?
- Response: How did administrators document, escalate, and address complaints?
Potential claims may involve negligent hiring, supervision, or retention, depending on the facts and Arizona law. The investigation must establish who operated the program and which entities or individuals had relevant responsibilities.
Learn more about Andreozzi + Foote’s representation of survivors of youth organization and sports sexual abuse.
Police Are Asking for Information
Surprise police say Zamora’s access to young students raises concern about possible additional victims. That concern is not confirmation of additional cases.
Anyone with relevant information can contact Surprise Police at 623-222-4000 or 623-222-TIPS (8477) and reference incident 260201435, according to the department’s announcement.
If your child shares a concern, listen calmly. Avoid blame or repeated questioning. Preserve existing non-explicit messages and records, and ask investigators how to handle potentially relevant digital evidence. Do not copy or forward sexual images involving minors.
A child should not have to assemble a complete case before adults take a safety concern seriously.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jose Alexandro Zamora?
Zamora, known as Alex or “Coach Alex,” is identified in reporting as a manager and martial arts instructor associated with Legendary Martial Arts in Surprise, Arizona.
Has Zamora been convicted?
The sources reviewed describe an arrest and pending felony charges, not a conviction. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Can a family explore civil options while the criminal case is pending?
Yes. A lawyer can evaluate potential claims while criminal proceedings continue. Civil and criminal cases have different purposes, and deadlines may run independently.
Does the gym’s removal of Zamora resolve potential institutional responsibility?
No. Removal addresses continued access after discovery. Evaluating potential civil liability also requires reviewing earlier conduct, applicable duties, and any connection between institutional failures and harm.
Speaking With a Sexual Abuse Lawyer About Your Rights
If you or your child experienced sexual abuse involving a martial arts instructor, coach, or youth program employee, you deserve clear information about your options. Andreozzi + Foote offers free, confidential consultations to help survivors and families understand potential civil claims and institutional accountability.
Contact our team or call (866) 858-3790. You do not need to have every answer before reaching out. info@vca.law
Photos courtesy of Fox12 and 12News
