The former general manager of a popular Laguna Beach hotel, who also has been a “Visit Laguna Beach” board member, was arrested after a 17-year-old girl told police he raped her while she was intoxicated, authorities said Saturday.
Phelton Zonea Calhoun Jr., 37, was booked on suspicion of rape by use of drugs, unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor more than three years younger, sending obscene material to a minor, and possession or purchase for sale of a controlled substance, according to Laguna Beach police Lt. Jason Farris.
His bail was set at $245,000, jail records show.
Police learned of the allegations on Tuesday, July 15, but the alleged crimes occurred in Laguna Beach about three weeks earlier, they said. He was arrested on Thursday, July 17.
“Detectives and (the) Special Enforcement Team also learned that Calhoun sold cocaine and carried a firearm,” the Laguna Beach Police Department said in a statement. “LBPD served a search warrant at his residence, where additional narcotics for sale and firearms were seized during the operation.”
Further details about the case were not disclosed.
Calhoun was the general manager of La Casa del Camino until June 8 and is no longer employed there, Christopher Perez, a spokesman for the hotel, said Saturday evening.
He said employment law prohibited him from responding to questions of whether Calhoun was fired or resigned, or if it had anything to do with the criminal case.
The nearly century-old hotel at the corner of S. Coast Highway and Cress Street is well known for its rooftop bar, with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and the city.
Calhoun also has been listed as a member of the Visit Laguna Beach board of directors, where his photo was visible among other board members as of Saturday morning. His photo was removed by the afternoon.
City News Service contributed to this report.
