Owner of Sullivan County martial arts studio charged with sexual battery of student

The owner of a Sullivan County martial arts studio has been indicted by a grand jury following testimony from a former student accusing him of sexual abuse.

Joseph Frank Grosso, 64, of Kingsport, is charged with six counts of aggravated sexual battery and three counts of continuous sexual battery of a child.

Investigators said the victim came forward last month and said the Grosso’s abuse took place over a period of time while taking lessons and out of sight of the other students.

According to the studio’s website, the Grosso studio has been offering after-school care for children for many years.

(MUGSHOT: SCSO TN)