Stephannie Figueroa is a former Orlando karate instructor who was arrested in June 2016 and convicted in 2017 on two felony counts for sending nude photographs and sexually explicit messages to an 11-year-old boy who trained at her family’s martial arts studio. She remains on Florida’s sex offender registry.1Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Sexual Offender/Predator Flyer – Stephannie Lianne Figueroa
What She Was Accused Of
Figueroa, then 21, worked as an instructor and competitor at Next-Gen Xtreme Martial Arts Studio on South Goldenrod Road in Orlando, a business owned by her father, Jose Figueroa.2Fox 32 Chicago. Karate Instructor Arrested for Sending Nude Photos to 11-Year-Old Student The case began when the mother of one of the studio’s 11-year-old students found messages on her son’s phone.3Oxygen. Teacher Caught Sending 15 Nude Pics to 11-Year-Old, Asking Him to Have Sex in a Hard Way
According to Orlando Police, Figueroa used the messaging app Kik to send the boy roughly 15 nude or sexually explicit photographs starting in February 2016. Investigators said the messages included explicit statements about wanting to have sex with him and references to sleepovers at the karate school. In one exchange, she invited him to her 21st birthday party and told him no one else would be home.3Oxygen. Teacher Caught Sending 15 Nude Pics to 11-Year-Old, Asking Him to Have Sex in a Hard Way
Arrest and Original Charges
Orlando Police arrested Figueroa on June 16, 2016. She was initially held without bond at the Orange County Jail and later bonded out.4Fox 5 NY. Karate Teacher Accused of Sending Nude Pictures to Minor The original charges filed against her were attempted lewd or lascivious conduct, solicitation of a minor, showing obscene material to a minor, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, child abuse, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
The 2017 Conviction
On June 20, 2017, Figueroa was adjudicated guilty in Orange County on two felony counts, a narrower set than she was originally charged with, indicating a plea agreement:
- Use of a computer to solicit or lure a parent or custodian of a child to consent to the child’s participation in sexual conduct, under Florida Statute 847.0135(3)(b), a third-degree felony.5Florida Senate. F.S. 847.0135 – Computer Pornography; Traveling to Meet Minor
- Providing obscene material to a minor, under Florida Statute 847.0133.1Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Sexual Offender/Predator Flyer – Stephannie Lianne Figueroa
Where She Is Now
Figueroa, whose full legal name is Stephannie Lianne Figueroa, appears on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement sex offender registry with a status of “Released – Subject to Registration.” That designation means she is no longer confined or under active Florida Department of Corrections supervision but is still required to register under Florida law. Her most recent registration update was filed in June 2026 and lists an address in Davenport, in Osceola County.1Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Sexual Offender/Predator Flyer – Stephannie Lianne Figueroa
The Karate Studio
Next-Gen Martial Arts, Inc. is no longer in operation. Florida corporate records show it was administratively dissolved on September 27, 2019, for failure to file an annual report. Jose C. Figueroa was listed as its registered agent and officer.6Florida Division of Corporations. Next Gen Martial Arts, Inc. – Detail