EDITOR’S NOTE: Shuddhodan Man Ranjit was acquitted of sex abuse charges on Nov. 26, 2018. You can read that update here.

BEAVERTON, Ore. (KOIN) — A 51-year-old Beaverton man surrendered to authorities to face sex abuse charges stemming from incidents that allegedly took place at his taekwondo studio.

Shuddhodan Man Ranjit, 51, was indicted Thursday on 12 counts of first-degree sex abuse and 3 counts of second-degree sex abuse. Court documents obtained by KOIN 6 News showed the alleged abuse involved 3 juveniles in the years between 2012 and 2015.

The alleged abuse happened at Ranjit’s taekwondo studio, 8907 SW Canyon Road, Beaverton.

Ranjit is currently being held in the Washington County Jail on $750,000 bail. He made his first court appearance Monday afternoon.

Outside the courtrooom Monday, a friend and student said he was shocked by the allegations and describes Ranjit as a family man.

“He’s very big in his culture, the Nepali culture, and there’s just something very strange about the whole instance and the whole case,” the friend told KOIN 6 News. “We hope all the facts will come out and people will uncover whatever all the facts are.”

The case

Deputies said several children reported being sexually abused by Ranjit multiple times in that period, and authorities said they also have evidence that corroborated the allegations.

Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeff Talbot told KOIN 6 News Ranjit turned himself in over allegations he inappropriately touched children under the age of 14. He would not disclose whether the victims were students, but “I can tell you the crimes, the alleged crimes, happened at the taekwondo studio in Washington County,” 8907 SW Canyon Road.

Talbot said it appears these incidents happened with multiple victims over a period of time. “Our largest concern is the access he had to children, so we’re asking the public if they have any informaition or possible other victims to please contact the sheriff’s office detectives.”

They have received “at least a couple tips of possible additional victims” since the story broke.

The fact the victims are under 14 makes these “Measure 11 crimes, which carry mandatory sentences and they are very serious allegations.”

Ranjit was a longtime taekwondo instructor at “multiple, different facilities around Washington County,” Talbot said.

“If your child had contact or was in one of his classes with him, please talk to your children see if there was any information that they have that might be of interest so we can investigate and hold him accountable for what happened,” Talbot said.

Sheriff’s detectives are concerned there may be additional victims. They’re asking anyone with information to call 503.846.2500