Karate Instructor Arrested On Child Sexual Battery Charges

DESERT HOT SPRINGS – A 41-year-old Desert Hot Springs man was arrested Tuesday on sexual battery and molestation charges for allegedly attacking a girl who was visiting Desert Hot Springs.

Joseph Lavigne is facing two felony counts of sexual battery and five misdemeanor counts of molesting a child under the age of 18.The 41 year-old Lavigne, who is a karate instructor,was taken into custody late this afternoon, according to Desert Hot Springs police.

According to a declaration in support of for an arrest warrant Desert Hot Springs police say Lavgine sexual assaulted and molested the 16 year old girl while she was staying with her aunt. The aunt lived in the same home with Lavigne, they’d been dating for over a year.

Police say the sexual assaults started with inappropriate conversations, then it let to touching and in the end police say he tried making the girl perform oral sex on him.

Stay tuned to News Channel 3 and KESQ.com for the latest on this developing story.