Long Beach police say a 35-year-old massage therapist is off the table and behind bars after he allegedly sexually assaulted women while on the job at a business on East Broadway.
Detectives arrested Victor Carlos Flores on Thursday, saying the case is tied to two reported incidents, one from March of this year and another from August 2018. Investigators believe there could be additional victims and are urging anyone who was treated by Flores and thinks something was wrong to contact police.
Flores was booked into the Long Beach City Jail on felony sexual assault and related sex crime charges, along with a separate count for failing to update his address as required under sex offender registration rules. The East Broadway business where he worked was also cited by the city for allowing an unlicensed person to perform services that require a license.
Police seek more possible victims
According to NBC Los Angeles, Flores is being held without bail at the Long Beach City Jail, and detectives say the case will be handed over to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office for potential charges.
Police say the investigation currently centers on two reports: one filed in March and another that dates back to August 2018. They are publicly stressing that they want to hear from anyone else who may have information about Flores or the East Broadway business.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Long Beach Police Department at 562-435-6711. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can contact LA Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
What the 'failure to update' charge means
Under California law, people required to register as sex offenders must keep their registration information current and notify authorities when key details, such as address, change. California Penal Code Section 290 spells out the duties to register and the deadlines to report changes, often within a matter of days.
The same statute authorizes criminal penalties when someone willfully fails to comply with those requirements. Police say that legal framework is the basis for the "failure to update" booking that appears in Flores' jail record.
Licensing and how to check a therapist
The city citation issued to the East Broadway business focuses on local licensing and enforcement, not state-level certification. The California Massage Therapy Council maintains a searchable database that allows the public to verify whether a massage therapist is certified in the state, but it does not regulate or oversee massage establishments themselves.
Instead, cities and counties typically handle business licensing, zoning, and public health rules for massage businesses. If you want to confirm a therapist's credentials before booking a session, CAMTC's "Verify Certification" tool lets you look up a name and check status in advance.
How to report and what’s next
Detectives say they plan to forward the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office for review and possible filing of formal charges. They are asking any additional victims or witnesses to come forward as they build the case.
As reported by NBC Los Angeles, anyone with information is urged to call Long Beach police at 562-435-6711 or submit an anonymous tip through LA Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Flores is presumed innocent unless and until he is convicted in court.
