Santa Monica police are asking anyone sexually assaulted at “The Massage Company” at 201 Wilshire Boulevard to come forward following the guilty plea of former masseur Jesse Tovar last Friday.
The SMPD began investigating a reported sexual assault that occurred at “The Massage Company” located at 201 Wilshire Boulevard by Jesse Tovar, a masseur, on April 21 last year.
The victim alleged that Tovar put his hands down her underpants during a massage and digitally penetrated her against her will. The victim immediately fled the location and reported the incident to the Santa Monica Police Department. On April 22, 2011, detectives located Tovar and took him into custody for violating Penal Code section 289(a), unlawful sexual penetration.
Last Friday, March 16, Jesse Tovar pleaded to one felony count of false imprisonment and one count of misdemeanor sexual battery.
Tovar was sentenced to six months in jail, 30 days of Cal-Trans community service, sexual compulsion counseling and he must register as a sexual offender. Tovar will surrender to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department on April 11, 2012, to begin serving his sentence.
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 asked to contact Detective Duane Hicks at 310.458.8983, Sergeant Darrick Jacob at 310.4588460, or the Santa Monica Police Department (24 hours) at 310.458.8495. Sexual assault victims’ identities are protected by law and are confidential.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call WeTip at 1-800-78-CRIME (1.800.78.27463), or submit the tip online at www.wetip.com. You will remain completely anonymous and may be eligible for a reward, up to $1,000, if your information leads to an arrest and conviction.
Or, anonymous tipsters can contact Crime Stoppers by either calling 800.222.TIPS (8477) or by visiting their website at www.lacrimestoppers.org. To text an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers, please view their webpage for detailed instructions. If the information leads to an arrest, the tipster is eligible to receive a reward up to $1,000.
