Case # 14HM08787
Date: September 3, 2015
SAN CLEMENTE MASSAGE THERAPIST SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL BATTERY AGAINST FOUR WOMEN
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – A San Clemente massage therapist was sentenced today for committing sexual battery against four women and inappropriately touching another woman. Ping Li, 51, San Clemente, was found guilty by a jury on Aug. 4, 2015, of four misdemeanor counts of sexual battery and one misdemeanor count of simple battery. He was sentenced today to one year and five days in jail, three years formal probation, restitution, pay $500 to the Victim Witness Emergency Fund, and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration.
At the time of the crime, Li co-owned and operated Massage Clover in San Clemente. Li worked as a licensed massage therapist.
On four occasions between June 4, 2014, and Oct. 4, 2014, Li committed sexual battery against three female clients who ranged in age from 20 years old to 57 years old. During the massage, while he was alone with the three female clients, he began touching their buttocks and vagina against their will, for the purpose of sexual arousal, sexual gratification, or sexual abuse. He committed sexual battery against a female employee by coming up from behind her and touching her breast and vagina over her clothes when there were no other employees or customers around.
The defendant also inappropriately touched a fourth female client, by nearly touching her vagina during a massage.
The victims reported the crimes to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, who investigated this case.
Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Schaniel prosecuted this case.