Ex-Employee At South Bay Dance Studio Pleads Not Guilty In Hidden Cameras Case

HERMOSA BEACH, CA — A man suspected of hiding cameras at a Hermosa Beach dance school where he once worked has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges filed earlier this week by the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office.

Jourdyn Godoy, 25, of Torrance, has been charged with a felony count of possession of child porn and a misdemeanor count each of annoying or molesting a child and criminal invasion of privacy, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office. Arrest records show he was released from jail Thursday after posting a $55,000 bond.

He appeared in court today, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges and was allowed to remain out on bond under certain conditions. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Armenui Amy Ashvanian ordered Godoy not to possess any pornography, not to 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.

Authorities say Godoy worked as a front-desk receptionist at the dance school. It's unclear when he last worked there. But he was identified as a suspect and arrested more than a month after a parent found multiple hidden cameras in the unisex bathrooms of the dance school.

“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,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said in a statement Wednesday. “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.”

If convicted of the crimes, Godoy could face up to four years in state prison, according to prosecutors. The 25-year-old is due back in court on July 3.

City News Service contributed to this report.