Bellevue Man Raped Teen At His Martial Arts Studio: Guilty Plea

BELLEVUE, WA - A 44-year-old Bellevue man has pleaded guilty to multiple counts of child rape. Robert J. Morrison allegedly carried out a years-long sexual relationship with at least one teenage girl who was a student at his Renton martial arts studio.

Last Thursday, Morrison pleaded guilty to three counts of third-degree child rape and two counts of communication with a minor for immoral purposes.

According to court documents, Morrison began grooming the girl when she was age 14 and a student at his Lee's Martial Arts dojo. Morrison began the abuse by sending near nude photos of himself to the teen via Snapchat or text. Those photos became more lewd over time. Two other students at Morrison's studio have accused him of sending them explicit text messages.

Morrison allegedly began touching the teen after she turned 15. The first occasion happened at his Bellevue home, inside his "man cave." Morrison first had sex with the teen in at her home in May 2015, according to documents. The exploitation continued and grew to include anal sex and Morrison allegedly recording sex with his iPhone.

Renton police got involved in 2016 acting on a tip from state Child Protective Services. Morrison was initially arrested on Aug. 24, 2016. He will be sentenced Sept. 21.

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