A Santa Clarita massage therapist was arrested Wednesday in connection with an alleged sexual assault that took place in April of this year, officials said.
In April 2021, Special Victims Bureau detectives began investigating the alleged sexual assault of an adult woman that occurred at “Massage Plus Healing” in the city of Santa Clarita, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials.
“The victim told detectives that while receiving a massage at the location, the massage therapist, Jorge Panama, age 56, sexually assaulted her,” read a Thursday statement from LASD officials.
Panama had previously been investigated for sexual assault in October 2018 under similar circumstances. During that incident, another adult female victim reported being sexually assaulted while receiving a massage from Panama while at “Stretch Therapeutic Healing Spa,” the previous name of “Massage Plus Healing” located at the same address.
Panama was arrested after the 2018 incident. The investigation was presented to the district attorney’s office. However, charges were not filed due to insufficient evidence, according to LASD officials.
A resident of Hawthorne, Panama was arrested on Wednesday at his place of business as a result of the April 2021 investigation, and has been charged with “Rape by Force/Fear” with $100,000 bail, according to Santa Clarita Valley arrest logs.
“Special Victims Bureau Detectives believe there may be additional victims in this case. Detectives are seeking information regarding any sexual assault that may have occurred during a massage session with the suspect at the location operating under the business names of “Massage Plus Healing” and “Stretch Therapeutic Healing” in the city of Santa Clarita,” read a Thursday statement from the LASD.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Special Victims Bureau toll-free tip line at (877) 710-5273 or by email at specialvictimsbureau@lasd.org.
If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP or “P3 Mobile” for the hearing impaired on Google play or the App Store, or by using the website.
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