Bloomfield Karate Teacher Accused Of Sex Assault On Child: ECPO – Bloomfield, NJ Patch

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — An East Orange man who owns Kokusai Karate Dojo in Bloomfield has been accused of repeatedly making “inappropriate physical contact” with a child, prosecutors announced Wednesday.

Edilberto “Eddie” Torres, 56, was arrested and charged with sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a student at his karate school, according to a statement from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Bloomfield Department of Public Safety.

Prosecutors alleged that earlier this year, Torres repeatedly made “inappropriate physical contact” with the child’s intimate parts. The student eventually reported the behavior to Bloomfield police, authorities said.

Torres is scheduled to make his first court appearance Wednesday. An investigation is active and ongoing, prosecutors said.

The Bloomfield Police Department released additional information about the sex assault accusations on Wednesday afternoon.

The incident was reported to officers by the parent of a 11-year-old female taking lessons at the dojo. The abuse began when Torres agreed to watch the victim before classes, Bloomfield police said.

Bloomfield police arrested Torres on Tuesday. He was charged and transported to the Essex County Correctional Facility.

Police stated:

“The Bloomfield Police Department is requesting any information pertaining to similar incidents at Kokusa Karate Dojo, 19 Franklin Street Bloomfield, NJ or by this individual. Please contact Captain George Ricci gricci@bloomfieldnjpd.com or at 973-680-4073.”

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