Houston

Texas Karate Studio Owner Sentenced for Child Porn

The owner of a Southeast Texas karate studio has been sentenced to nearly 20 years in prison for viewing and sharing child pornography.

Ronald Seabridge Sr. of operates Brass Dragon Karate in Lumberton, about 90 miles northeast of Houston.

Prosecutors in Beaumont announced the sentence Wednesday for the 60-year-old karate instructor. Seabridge was convicted of receiving, distributing and possessing child pornography Feb. 27.

Federal agents searched Seabridge's home and karate studio as part of an undercover operation in 2009.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

Investigators said Seabridge was using a file-sharing program to receive and distribute child pornography. A search of the businessman's computer equipment revealed more than 300 child porn images.

Seabridge was indicted in May 2013.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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