Martial arts instructor facing more sex charges

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) — A southwestern Illinois martial arts instructor is facing more federal felonies alleging that he sexually abused several students, including a 6-year-old.

A federal grand jury in East St. Louis has returned a six-count indictment against 20-year-old Christopher Horton of Highland. He's now charged with five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor.

Horton had faced just two federal sexual-exploitation counts, as well as nine state charges.

Federal prosecutors say that between May of last year and last month in Madison and St. Clair counties, Horton video-recorded himself in sexual activity with three children.

Horton taught at Three Tigers Martial Arts in Belleville and is jailed without bond.

A message was left Friday with Horton's federal public defender, Thomas Gabel.