Image sources: Ryan J. Curtin, courtesy of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, as published by Patch. Google Street View of Tiger Schulmann’s Martial Arts in Ramsey, NJ, © Google, via Google Maps.
In April 2025, a hidden camera was discovered in a restroom at Tiger Schulmann’s Martial Arts on Route 17 in Ramsey, New Jersey.
The investigation led the Ramsey Police Department to Ryan J. Curtin, 25, of Oakland, who had been employed at the studio. Curtin was arrested after police “determined that Curtin had put a camera there and recorded an adult customer.” (Patch)
Following that arrest, he was charged with one count of invasion of privacy, fired from the martial arts school, and released pending further court proceedings.
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit and Digital Forensics Lab later conducted an extensive review of the recordings. They discovered that the camera had been placed in the women’s restroom and “‘‘recorded multiple victims, including children, in various stages of undress while they utilized the bathroom,’ prosecutors said.” (Patch)
This discovery led to far more serious charges.
On Wednesday, August 13, 2025, Curtin was arrested again in Paramus, NJ. He was then charged with:
- Two counts of production of child pornography
- One count of possession of child pornography
- Seven counts of invasion of privacy
According to the most recent reports, Curtin is being held at Bergen County Jail without bond. He is awaiting his first appearance in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack, NJ.
Liability and Accountability
Organizations must provide safe facilities, carefully screen staff, and prevent opportunities for abuse, including secret recordings. That duty applies in every setting, and it is especially vital where children are involved. Martial arts studios and other youth sports programs must ensure that children are protected at all times.
Tiger Schulmann’s is not a small neighborhood business. With more than 50 schools across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut, and over 300,000 students trained, Tiger Schulmann’s is a major martial arts institution.
Families are entitled to expect strong safeguards from any youth program, and that expectation is heightened when an organization operates on this scale.
When abuse or exploitation occurs on an institution’s property, responsibility may extend beyond the individual charged. Organizations are expected to monitor staff, protect their facilities, and enforce policies designed to prevent crimes. If they fail in those obligations, they can be held accountable in civil court for the harm that results.
Civil lawsuits provide survivors with a pathway to justice. They not only offer financial compensation but also compel institutions to confront their failures and adopt stronger protections for the future.
Our Commitment
At Andreozzi + Foote, we represent survivors of sexual abuse and exploitation nationwide. We have successfully represented survivors in cases involving secret recordings and other invasions of privacy. Our firm pursues claims against institutions whose negligence allowed exploitation to occur.
If you or your child were secretly recorded or experienced any other form of sexual exploitation while attending Tiger Schulmann’s Martial Arts, you may have legal options.
Being filmed without your knowledge or consent is a serious violation of privacy and safety. Our team can help you understand your rights and pursue justice.
We encourage you to contact us today.
