Jason Pohl

jasonpohl@coloradoan.com

A former karate teacher faces felony sex-assault charges after he reportedly groped and fondled a teen student over the span of several months at his Fort Collins dojo.

Seth Sykes, 32, was arrested Nov. 6 after allegations surfaced that he groped a 16-year-old client dozens of times at Sykes Family Martial Arts, 5800 S. College Ave. Sykes allegedly fondled the girl repeatedly and with increasing deliberation, and he sent her several thousand text messages in which he described sexual acts he "dreamed" of doing to her, according to arrest documents.

The girl knew Sykes from outside of the martial arts studio, police said. As of Friday, no other students of Sykes had come forward alleging abuse.

"The investigation showed that the victim was specifically targeted by Sykes. At this point, we don't have any reason to believe that it's gone outside of this one particular victim," said Sgt. Dean Cunningham with Fort Collins police.

The girl trained with Sykes almost daily and earned her black belt at age 15. Though she trained with him for years, Sykes started to "get closer" with her earlier this year and said he was having marital problems, arrest documents indicate. What started as "friendly" behaviors, like hugging, allegedly escalated starting in February.

Located on the fringes of the city near a Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County support facility, the south Fort Collins business has already taken measures to distance itself from Sykes. In addition to renaming it the Fort Collins Martial Arts Academy, owner Bucky Barber said said Sykes has no holding or ties to the business in wake of the allegations.

"Although all known facts indicate his actions involved one person with whom he had a personal relationship that extended beyond the business, that is one person too many," Barber wrote in a statement. "No individual should be subject to such criminal behaviors. I am thankful this is in the hands of law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Sykes must take responsibility for his actions, and I look forward justice being served."

Sykes has been formally charged with sexual assault on a child as one in a position of trust and assault on a child with a pattern of abuse — class 4 and class 3 felonies, respectively. He has since posted his $25,000 bond, and his first court appearance has been continued to Dec. 2.

Anyone who believes they may have information regarding an unreported sexual assault related to this case is asked to call Det. Marnie Christensen at (970) 221-6580

Reporter Jason Pohl covers breaking news and courts for the Coloradoan. Follow him on Twitter: @pohl_jason.