Police are asking for anyone sexually assaulted by a local Santa Monica masseuse to come forward, following his arrest after one victim reported him to Santa Monica officers.
On April 21, a victim reported that she had been sexually assaulted by a massage therapist at “The Massage Company,” which is located at 201 Wilshire Boulevard. The victim alleged that the suspect, a licensed massage technician put his hands down the victim’s underpants during the massage and penetrated the victim against her will. The victim immediately fled the location and reported the incident to the Santa Monica Police Department.
Detectives located the suspect, 22 years-old Jesse Tovar, a Hispanic male resident of West Los Angeles, on April 22 and took him into custody for violating section 289(a) of the California Penal Code, unlawful sexual penetration.
Given the possibility that this crime was not a singular event, the Santa Monica Police Department is asking anyone else who may have been victimized by Tovar to immediately report it to the Santa Monica Police Department. Anyone with information is requested to contact Detective Duane Hicks at 310.458.8983, Sgt. Darrick Jacob at 310.458.8460, or the Santa Monica Police Department (24 hours) at 310.458.8495. Sexual assault victim’s identities are protected by law and are confidential.
