Karate instructor arrested in child sex abuse case

SOUTH JORDAN — A karate instructor who works with children was arrested late last week after prosecutors said he was sexually abusing some of the students at his studio.

Bryce Ellison Norton, 29, was charged in Third District Court with 15 felony counts including 12 counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, two counts of rape of a child and dealing in harmful materials to a child. All charges except the dealing in harmful materials are first degree felonies. The final charge is a third degree felony.

Charging documents say Norton abused four young girls, all under the age of 13, from approximately Jan. 1 to Sept. 1. Two of the girls each said at least one of the abuse incidents happened "at his karate studio located in South Jordan." In post-Miranda statements, Norton said all of the incidents of abuse with a third girl happened at the studio, according to charging documents.

Charging documents list the address of East West MMA Martial Arts & Karate, 1098 W. South Jordan Parkway as Norton's AKA.

The company's website includes written testimonials from clients. One person wrote prior to Norton's arrest wrote, "Sensei Bryce Norton is an excellent teacher and a great role model for the kids."

Norton was being held in the Salt Lake County Jail Saturday on $500,000 baiul.

—Pat Reavy