Crime & Safety
Belmont Shore Masseuse Released From Jail
The Dee Dee Thai Spa masseuse posted bail and will return to court later in June.
By Nancy Wride
A Belmont Shore masseuse arrested and charged with misdemeanor sexual battery for inappropriately touching a massage client has posted bail and will face trial this month, records show.
Johnny Paul Zea, 48, was released from jail Sunday night after bond for the $50,000 bail was paid, L.A. County Sheriff's Dept. jail records show. Long Beach City Prosecutor Douglas Haubert said Zea will likely be in court June 10 for pretrial matters; the trial is set to start June 17.
An attorney of record for Zea could not be found. Haubert's office will prosecute the case because the charge against Zea was a misdemeanor.
The Long Beach Police Department arrested Zea May 19 after an alleged incident at Dee Dee Thai Spa, where Zea was an independent contractor. Because he worked at other spas, police said they suspect there may be other cases involving Zea, and released his booking photo.
Read more background on the case here. Stay updated on this and other news with Belmont Shore and Long Beach Patch newsletters, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
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