Hermosa Beach Dance School Worker Accused Of Hiding Cameras Pleads No Contest

HERMOSA BEACH, CA — A Torrance man accused of hiding cameras at a Hermosa Beach dance and music school where he worked has pleaded no contest.

Jourdyn Alexander Godoy, now 26, was ordered to register as a sex offender for life after pleading no contest Thursday to one felony count of possession of child pornography and one misdemeanor count of invasion of privacy.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Francis Bennett II also ordered Godoy to complete 52 sex offender classes, perform 30 days of community labor and serve two years on probation.

Godoy was given credit for about a week he had already served in jail following his arrest last June by Hermosa Beach police before he was released on $55,000 bond.

One count — a misdemeanor charge of child annoyance — was dismissed as a result of his plea.

Hermosa Beach police said officers responded to a call for service at the School of Dance and Music, where students' ages range from 2 to 18, at about 9:30 a.m. on May 3.

“Parents at the school had located hidden cameras in multiple restrooms and immediately turned the devices over to staff, who promptly contacted law enforcement,” police said.

Staff, parents and students used the unisex restrooms, police said.

"This is like a safe and sacred place for many children for the last over 25 years. So, I'm horrified," Liliana Somma, the owner of the school, told ABC 7 News. "We're committed to these families and the community."

Detectives worked with the business owners and identified a lead, according to police.

Based on the evidence found during a search warrant, detectives identified Godoy as a suspect in connection with the case, police said.

Godoy was arrested June 13, then charged four days later with one felony count of possession of child pornography and misdemeanor counts of child annoyance and invasion of privacy, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Godoy initially pleaded not guilty to charges in the case, CBS Los Angeles reported.

Had Godoy been convicted as charged, he could have faced up to four years in state prison, prosecutors said.