Orem karate instructor charged with sex abuse of teen

PROVO - An 81-year-old Orem karate instructor who encouraged young men to get their Eagle Scout awards and go on Mormon missions was charged Monday with sex crimes against a 14-year-old girl.

Kenneth Higa is charged in 4th District Court with two counts of object rape, a first-degree felony, and two counts of sex abuse of a minor, a third-degree felony.

On four occasions between Dec. 1, 2016 and June 25, Higa inappropriately touched one of his students while giving her a massage during private karate lessons, according to charging documents.

Higa works at the Shotokan Karate Program in Orem. The girl had been one of Higa's students for six to seven years, according to a police affidavit filed in 4th District Court.

The girl had missed some classes due to other commitments, so Higa "made arrangements for the child to attend a class alone" on a weekend, the report states.

Once there, the girl said Higa told her would be holding class in the basement that day.

"Mr. Higa told her he would like to give her a massage. The child was extremely uncomfortable with the request but because of his position of trust over her she did not protest," according to the affidavit.

When interviewed by police, Higa said he gave massages to the girl in the basement and "he gave into temptation," the affidavit states.

Higa became known for using karate to motivate young people and deliver LDS teachings. He encouraged young men to earn their Eagle Scout awards and serve missions for The Church of Jesus of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, according to stories profiling his work on KSL in 2012.

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