| For Immediate Release Case # TBA
January 29, 2009 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
SELF DEFENSE INSTRUCTOR CHARGED
WITH MOLESTING 4-YEAR-OLD GIRL WHILE
ALONE IN STUDIO
NEWPORT BEACH – An instructor and co-owner of a Costa Mesa self defense studio has been charged with molesting a 4-year-old girl while she was a student at his studio. John Patrick Harison, 61, Anaheim, is charged with one felony count of lewd acts on a child. He faces a maximum sentence of eight years in state prison if convicted. He is being held on $100,000 bail and is scheduled to be arraigned today, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. at the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach. The Department is to be assigned.
On Jan. 19, 2009, Harison is accused of fondling 4-year-old Jane Doe by touching her groin region over her clothing while she was at his self defense studio. He is accused of lying down next to the victim while alone with her and sexually assaulting her. Jane Doe told her mother about the molest approximately one week later. Jane Doe’s mother contacted the police.
Harison is a co-owner and instructor at United Studios of Self Defense at 2675 Irvine Ave., Suite G, in Costa Mesa.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with additional information or who believes they have been a victim is encouraged to contact Supervising District Attorney Investigator Randy Litwin at (714) 347-8794.
Deputy District Attorney Tony Ferrentino of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.
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