A former employee of a dance and music school in Hermosa Beach pleaded not guilty Friday to charges stemming from the discovery of hidden cameras that authorities say were found in the school’s bathroom and a changing room.
Jourdyn Godoy, 25, of Torrance, is charged with one felony count of possession of child pornography, and one misdemeanor count each of child annoyance and invasion of privacy, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Armenui Amy Ashvanian ordered Godoy not to possess any pornography, not be around anyone under the age of 18 without an adult’s supervision and to stay away from any of the identified alleged victims and the school in the 1100 block of Aviation Boulevard as conditions of him remaining free on $55,000 bond.
Godoy — who was arrested last Friday by Hermosa Beach police — was released from custody after the bond was posted Thursday, jail records show.
Hermosa Beach police said they initially responded May 3 to the School of Dance and Music, where “hidden cameras were located.”
Police said at the time that the cameras were spotted by parents of students at the school. The devices were turned over to school administrators, who contacted police.
Police said the students range from 2 years old to 18 years old, noting that parents and employees also used the restroom.
In a statement Tuesday, police stated that investigators were able to develop a lead in the case by working with the business owners, and that a forensic examination led to Godoy’s arrest.
Police served a search warrant at Godoy’s residence, where they recovered potential evidence, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
“To invade a child’s privacy in a place where they should feel completely safe is a grotesque violation of trust, safety and basic human decency,” District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement about the case. “We will do everything in our power to hold this individual fully accountable. No child — or adult — should have to worry about being secretly recorded in such a private space.”
Godoy — who was described as a former school employee who worked as a front-desk receptionist — is due back at the downtown Los Angeles courthouse July 3. A date is scheduled to be set then to determine if there is sufficient evidence to allow the case against him to proceed to trial.
He could face up to four years in state prison if convicted as charged, according to the District Attorney’s Office.