Arrested Dance Instructor’s Former Boss Speaks Out

PALM DESERT -A local youth dance instructor is under investigation. Karl Green was arrested Friday at his La Quinta home. He faces several child sex charges, including unlawful intercourse and acts by force with a minor.

Green has worked at several local dance studios; one of his former bosses says she’s upset, but not surprised by his actions.

“Personally, I felt hurt. I’ve worked so long to build this company up and he took advantage of it,” says Amy Grey, Director of Desert Valley All-Star Mavericks in Palm Desert.

Twenty-seven-year-old Karl Green, or Kar-el as some people call him is a dance instructor and choreographer here in the desert. Students, parents and co-workers trusted and thought highly of him.

“Karl was very charismatic and the kids liked him,” says Grey.

Grey is Green’s former boss at “Desert Valley All-Star Mavericks”, she says Green’s overly laid-back personality got him into trouble.

“Karl had been warned about inappropriate texting,” says Grey. “He wasn’t being an adult, he was being one of the kids.”

That’s only the beginning. On Friday, February 20th police arrested Green. He’s accused of soliciting and having sex with several young girls between 2006 and 2008.

Green taught hip-hop at Desert Valley All-Star Mavericks from 2006 to 2008. That is where he met at least one of the minors he had an inappropriate relationship with.

“It wasn’t something I was aware of while he was here,” says Grey. “I found out after the fact.”

Grey does background checks on all instructors before they’re hired, she says Green’s came back okay.

“His was normal, there were no red flags,” says Grey.

While working at the studio, a student complained that Green sent inappropriate text messages. Grey put him on probation and later fired him.

Most recently, Green worked for”Beyond the Beat” studio in Palm Desert. Just hours after News Channel 3 told owners about Green’s arrest, they took him off the schedule.

“We told him he can no longer work here,” said Cecilia Shahandeh, owner of Beyond the Beat. “Basically, we fired him, but if his name is cleared, we will consider hiring him back.”

Police worry there may be more victims out there. They urge anyone with information to call (760) 863-8990.