Costa Mesa man charged with sexually abusing 9-year-old girl

A Costa Mesa man is scheduled to appear in Orange County Superior Court on Wednesday to face charges that he sexually abused a 9-year-old girl.

Police arrested 54-year-old Laing Lagmay Romua on Thursday at his home in the 1900 block of Maple Avenue, according to court records.

Romua is charged with six felonies, including lewd acts with a minor, oral copulation with a minor, using a minor for sex acts and possession of child pornography. The crimes allegedly happened between October 2012 and June 2014, according to the charges.

Investigators said they found nude photos of the girl on Romua’s phone. Police also allege that Romua kissed and groped the girl while she was under his care, according to a sworn statement filed by police.

Most of the court documents associated with Romua’s case are sealed, so more details were not immediately available.

Romua is being held in Orange County Jail with bail set at $1 million, according to Sheriff’s Department records.