LOS ANGELES-In April 2021, Special Victims Bureau detectives began investigating the sexual assault of an adult female that occurred in April at “Massage Plus Healing” in the city of Santa Clarita. The victim told detectives that while receiving a massage at the location, the massage therapist, Jorge Panama, age 56, sexually assaulted her.
Suspect Panama was the subject of a previous sexual assault investigation in October 2018 that involved similar circumstances. During that incident, an adult female victim reported being sexually assaulted while receiving a massage from Suspect Panama while at “Stretch Therapeutic Healing Spa.” This is the previous business name of “Massage Plus Healing” and was located at the same address in Santa Clarita. Mr. 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.
As a result of the investigation into the April 2021 incident, Suspect Panama was arrested on Wednesday, September 1, 2021, at his place of business in Santa Clarita.
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.
Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Bureau.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department – Special Victims Bureau is tasked with investigating the sexual and physical abuse of children and felonious sexual assaults involving adult victims. 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 http://lacrimestoppers.org.
