O.C. karate instructor accused of molestation
A karate instructor at a Costa Mesa self-defense studio was arrested this week on suspicion of molesting a 4-year-old girl whom he was giving a private lesson, authorities said Thursday.
Jon Patrick Harrison, 61, of Anaheim is charged with one felony count of lewd acts on a child.
Harrison has been a martial arts instructor at United Studios of Self Defense for 10 years, and authorities worry there could be other victims, said Orange County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Jim Amormino.
Harrison is accused of fondling the young student Jan. 19, touching her outside her clothing while the pair lay down in a secluded part of the studio he co-owns at 2675 Irvine Ave., Suite G.
The girl did not report the incident to her mother until about a week later, Orange County prosecutors said. The mother then alerted police.
Harrison is being held at Orange County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail. He faces a maximum of eight years in prison.
Authorities urge anyone with information to contact Supervising Dist. Atty. Investigator Randy Litwin at (714) 347-8794 or the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at (714) 628-7170.
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