MARTINEZ, Calif. – A 31-year-old Martinez dance instructor has been arrested and charged with two felony counts of sexual assault on a child, Martinez Police and the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday.
The man has been identified as Daniel Howarter, who was 25 at the time of the incident, according to a police statement distributed by Sgt. Clarence Moore. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility in lieu of $75,000 bail.
“A confidential victim came forward to the Martinez Police Department and reported she was sexually assaulted sometime in 2012-2013, when she was 15-years-old,” the statement said. “The victim was a student at a local Martinez dance studio, where Howarter was her dance instructor.”
Martinez Police began investigating the report and placed Howarter under arrest June 19. The department sent information about the case to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for review. As a result, the Office filed two felony counts of sexual assault against Howarter.
The Office identified the dance studio where he worked at the time as Motion Dance Center, 835 Arnold Drive, although on the studio’s website, Howarter was not listed as a member of its faculty. The studio has recessed for summer according to a message on its phone.
“We’re unable to make a statement at this time, as we haven’t even met with Martinez Police Detectives yet. We were made aware only by social media. Once we meet with them, we’ll let you know if we need to make a statement,” an unidentified person from In Motion Dance Center emailed to the Martinez News-Gazette.”
Anyone with information about the incident may contact Martinez Police Department, 925-372-3440.
