Ricardo Garcia Arrested in Costa Mesa Hair Salon Sexual Assault Case

Costa Mesa Police Believe Hair Stylist Ricardo Garcia May Have More Victims After a Decade of Alleged Abuse

COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA (October 31, 2026) – A 61-year-old Fullerton hair stylist identified as Ricardo Garcia has been arrested in a sexual assault case involving clients of his Costa Mesa hair salon, including teenage boys.

Orange County officials are saying that Garcia was arrested on Tuesday, October 13, after an investigation into abuse that allegedly spanned about 10 years. Costa Mesa police opened the case after receiving several reports that Garcia had inappropriately touched clients, conduct that allegedly escalated to sexual assault.

Garcia owns Hair by Ricardo at 2200 Harbor Boulevard, and investigators believe he used his position as a stylist to gain access to the people he allegedly assaulted. Police said those clients were mostly male and ranged from 13 years old to adults at the time of the alleged assaults.

Investigators released Garcia’s photo because they believe more victims may exist, given his regular contact with the public. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective E. Peralta at 714-754-5039 or Sgt. D. Sevilla at 714-754-4933.

Because the allegations reach back roughly a decade, survivors may face different filing rules depending on when the abuse happened. Under California’s Code of Civil Procedure section 340.1, there is no time limit for civil claims involving childhood sexual assault that occurred on or after January 1, 2024, while older claims follow the deadlines in place before then.

Questions also remain about whether anyone raised concerns earlier, since police say several separate reports led to the investigation. In 2017, California lawmakers directed the state barbering and cosmetology board to build abuse awareness training into licensing, though that training focuses on helping salon workers spot clients harmed elsewhere rather than misconduct inside a salon.

Liability for Costa Mesa Hair Salon Sexual Assault

California law gives survivors of sexual assault a direct civil claim against the person who harmed them. Under Civil Code section 1708.5, a person who commits sexual battery is liable for general, special, and punitive damages. When the person harmed is a minor and the offender held a position of authority over them, Civil Code section 1708.5.5 bars the offender from claiming consent as a defense. Businesses that provide close personal services also owe customers a duty to protect them from workers they hire and supervise. In cases involving personal service providers, responsibility often turns on several recurring factors:

• Position of trust: Stylists, therapists, and similar professionals have physical access to clients, and abusing that access can expose them to civil liability beyond any criminal case.
• Hiring practices: Salon owners and managers can be held responsible when they fail to screen workers or ignore warning signs from past employment.
• Prior complaints: Earlier reports of inappropriate touching that go unaddressed can show that further harm was foreseeable.
• Private settings: Closed rooms, after-hours appointments, and one-on-one services increase risk when no policies limit them.
• Property owners: In some cases, landlords and shopping center operators may share responsibility when they know of dangerous conduct on their premises and do nothing.

California courts have recognized that adults who exploit a professional relationship with a minor can be sued directly under the laws that protect children. In Angie M. v. Superior Court (1995), a California Court of Appeal considered claims by a minor who alleged that a 48-year-old physician had drawn her into a sexual relationship. The court held that violations of criminal statutes designed to protect minors can support a civil cause of action for childhood sexual abuse, and it allowed her to pursue punitive damages. The decision also confirmed that sexual battery requires an intent to cause a harmful or offensive contact and a resulting sexually offensive contact. That reasoning reaches any professional who uses the trust of a service relationship to harm a young client.

Recognizing and Reporting Abuse by Trusted Adults

Abuse by people in positions of trust is far more common than many families realize. According to the CDC Foundation, CDC research shows that at least one in four girls and one in 20 boys in the United States experience sexual abuse during childhood. That figure likely understates the problem, because so many cases are never reported. Adults who were abused as teenagers often recognize what happened only years later. Knowing the warning signs can help families and survivors act sooner:

• Grooming behavior: Offenders often test boundaries with small touches, special favors, or requests for secrecy before abuse escalates.
• Behavior changes: A young person who suddenly refuses to return to a familiar place or person may be signaling a problem.
• Unusual appointments: Requests for one-on-one sessions, after-hours visits, or closed doors deserve a closer look.
• Written records: Keeping dates, receipts, texts, and appointment confirmations can help investigators build a timeline.
• Reporting options: Survivors can report abuse to local police, and reports can be made even years after the abuse occurred.

Businesses that serve the public, especially young people, should have clear policies that limit private one-on-one contact and treat every complaint seriously. Parents should feel comfortable asking how a business screens its workers and handles concerns. Survivors who come forward often help protect others who were afraid to speak. California law gives survivors of sexual abuse the right to seek accountability in civil court, separate from any criminal prosecution. Injured survivors may also be entitled to compensation for counseling, medical care, and other harms.

Investigating Sexual Assault in Costa Mesa

We at Feher Law offer our best wishes for healing to the salon clients who have come forward in Costa Mesa. We hope this case leads to full accountability and to stronger safeguards for children and adults who trust service providers with close personal contact. These allegations raise serious safety concerns about one-on-one services offered to the public. How many people may have been harmed before anyone was in a position to stop it?

Have you or a loved one been affected by sexual abuse at a salon, spa, or other business in Costa Mesa or elsewhere in Orange County? Survivors can hold abusers, and anyone who enabled them, legally responsible, and injured survivors may be entitled to compensation for counseling and other care. Abuse is rarely reported right away, and by the time a survivor speaks up, records may be gone and the person responsible may have already shaped the story. Our team of safety advocates and accident investigators can help you understand what happened, from appointment records and prior complaints to the accounts of other clients. If you have questions about your rights or need support of any kind, we’re here for you anytime at (424) 433-4412.