Kenneth Higa was an LDS church member and karate teacher in Orem, Utah; accused of sexual abuse of a 14-year-old girl, one of his karate students; was unable to pass a court ordered competency test, so the case was unable to proceed.

Kenneth Higa was an LDS member and karate teacher who was accused of sexually abusing one of his underage students.

*Court adopts the report of the state as findings. Court order defendant found not competent to proceed.
*The court grants the request and case is placed on stay.

CASE NUMBER 171402049 State Felony
CHARGES
Charge 1 – 76-5-402.2 – OBJECT RAPE – 1st Degree Felony
Offense Date: December 01, 2016
Location: Utah County
Mandatory Appearance
Charge 2 – 76-5-402.2 – OBJECT RAPE – 1st Degree Felony
Offense Date: December 01, 2016
Location: Utah County
Mandatory Appearance
Charge 3 – 76-5-401.1(3)(B) – SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR STUDENT – 3rd Degree Felony
Offense Date: December 01, 2016
Location: Utah County
Mandatory Appearance
Charge 4 – 76-5-401.1(3)(B) – SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR STUDENT – 3rd Degree Felony
Offense Date: December 01, 2016
Location: Utah County
Mandatory Appearance

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Sources

  1. Former teacher arrested for alleged child sex abuse in Orem, Salt Lake Tribune, June 23, 2017.
  2. Orem karate instructor booked on sex abuse, object rape , KUTV, February 22, 2017.
  3. 81-year-old Orem man arrested for child sex abuse, KUTV, June 22, 2017.
  4. 81-year-old arrested for sex abuse of teen, police fear there could be more victims, ABC 4, June 22, 2017.

  • 1. Former teacher arrested for alleged child sex abuse in Orem

    • 20170623
    • News article
    • Salt Lake Tribune

  • 2. Orem karate instructor booked on sex abuse, object rape

    • 20170222
    • News article
    • KUTV

    The six counts of aggravated forcible sex abuse are first degree felonies because he was in a position of trust,

  • 3. 81-year-old Orem man arrested for child sex abuse

    • 20170622
    • News article
    • KUTV

  • 4. 81-year-old arrested for sex abuse of teen, police fear there could be more victims

    • 20170622
    • News article
    • ABC 4

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Other Mormon sex abuse cases

    • Geoffrey Powell (1947 – ) was an LDS bishop in Western Australia; accused of sexually abusing a seven-year-old girl in his ward; the alleged abuse took place while he was a bishop; the victim twice complained to the LDS church, but said she was not believed and was chastised, and it was suggested she should move away if she felt uncomfortable; in 2019, he was sentenced to 12 months in jail
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    • Marvin Harker (1968 – ) was an LDS bishop in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada in 2016; reportedly confessed to his mission president in 1987 to sexually abusing multiple children; also reportedly confessed to his bishop; both leaders told him not to report to police, according to records in a 2016 criminal case; convicted in 2019 (alleged abuse 1986-93); sentenced in 2020 to five years in prison; registered sex offender
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    • Errol Pilling (1942 – ) was a Mormon bishop and licensed psychologist in Calgary, Alberta, Canada; went on an LDS mission to England in the early 1960s; pleaded guilty in 1988 and in 1994 to charges of sexual misconduct; in September 1994, his registration as a chartered psychologist with the Psychologists Association of Alberta was cancelled; in 1994, was excommunicated; as of February 2024, lives in Twin Falls, Idaho
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