Man pleads guilty in Renton martial arts studio child rape case

RENTON, Wash. – Authorities say a man has pleaded guilty to child rape in connection with a student at his martial arts studio in suburban Seattle.

The Renton Police Department said Monday that 43-year-old Robert James Morrison pleaded guilty last week to three counts of rape of a child and two counts of communication with a minor for immoral purposes.

Police say Morrison was arrested in 2016 after investigation into allegations that he was having sexual contact with some of the underage students at his marital arts studio in Renton.

Police say a student told investigators that she was 15 when Morrison began having a sexual relationship with her. Police say two other students told investigators that Morrison sent them inappropriate pictures on Snapchat.

Morrison will be sentenced in September.