Instructor pleads not guilty to lewd act charges

A 61-year-old self-defense instructor in Costa Mesa pleaded not guilty Friday to charges that he molested a 4-year-old female student.

Jon Patrick Harison, of Anaheim, is charged with one felony count of performing a lewd act on a minor in January and faces up to eight years in prison if convicted.

Harison is co-owner and an instructor at Costa Mesa’s United Studios of Self Defense, 2675 Irvine Ave.

Harison’s arrest stems from a phone call a concerned parent made to police.

The 4-year-old girl’s mother called after her daughter told her Harison had fondled her over her clothing a week after the incident, prosecutors said.

Soon after his arrest, company officials said the accusations against Harison are “out of character” and emphasized all instructors undergo a background check. The company has been around for 40 years and has branches nationwide.

Harison is scheduled to be back in court April 13 for a pre-trial hearing. He’s in custody in lieu of $100,000 bail.

— Joseph Serna