After a Wednesday morning hearing in court, a 47-year-old Kennewick man will be facing sentencing soon after pleading guilty to third-degree child molestation.

According to KEPR-TV, Oscar Garnica, a former Kennewick teacher and martial arts instructor, had a statement read in court by the judge admitting that he intentionally touched a 14-year-old girl in the groin area for sexual purposes while she was a martial arts student of his.

The incident occurred at the martial arts school he ran in Richland, Choice Martial Arts, in August of 2016. Police later discovered some 400 text messages between Garnica and the victim, and there were reported discussions by him with the victim about having sex.

He is expected to be sentenced soon. A search on the internet shows various listings saying the Choice Martial Arts Academy is "closed permanently."

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