Police: Karate teacher molested 4-year-old student
A karate instructor at a Costa Mesa self-defense studio has been arrested on charges that he molested a 4-year-old girl during a private lesson, authorities said this morning.
Jon Patrick Harison, 61, of Anaheim is charged with one felony count of lewd acts on a child.
Harison (who also goes by Pat Harrison, according to the complaint filed by the Orange County district attorney's office) has been a martial-arts instructor at United Studios of Self Defense for 10 years. Authorities said they are concerned that there could be additional victims, said Orange County Sheriff's Department spokesman Jim Amormino.
Harison is accused of fondling the young student Jan. 19 in a secluded part of the studio he co-owns on Irvine Avenue. The girl did not report the incident to her mother until roughly a week later, Orange County prosecutors said.
He is being held at Orange County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail. Authorities urge anyone with additional information to contact Supervising District Attorney Investigator Randy Litwin at (714) 347-8794 or the Orange County Sheriff's Department at (714) 628-7170.
— Susannah Rosenblatt
Photo: Jon Patrick Harison in booking photo
EDITOR'S PICKS:
Why would any parent leave their 4 year old unsupervised in private lessons? Where were the parents?
Posted by: Maria Robinson | January 29, 2009 at 12:29 PM
I hope hard evidence was found. I think he's inoccent.
Posted by: Rachael | May 10, 2009 at 07:23 PM