(10/12/07) RONKONKOMA ? Suffolk County police arrested a Ronkonkoma karate instructor Thursday for the alleged sexual abuse of a 13-year-old boy.

Police say James N. Bonfiglio, 37, abused the boy at his apartment in July. Bonfiglio, the owner of Excel Karate Academy, was arrested at his apartment on 500 Peconic Street.

According to police, Bonfiglio had been sending e-mails and text messages to the victim since the abuse. The alleged victim, a student of Bonfiglio?s, eventually told his mother.

Investigators say Bonfiglio is well-known in martial arts circles and even taught at a PAL-sponsored karate program in the past. He underwent a background check for that program, but police say he came up clean.

Bonfiglio has been charged with second-degree criminal sexual act, second-degree sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child.

Police are now trying to determine if there are any other victims. They say there is no indication that sexual abuse occurred at the karate school.