Gymnastics school owner accused of child sex abuse

MASSENA — The owner of a children's gymnastics school was jailed Thursday on charges of providing alcohol to two 13-year-old girls, showing pornography to one and inappropriately touching one.

Daniel J. Zera, 47, of 133 Allen St., Massena, was jailed on $25,000 bail or $50,000 bond, village police said. He was charged with two counts of first-degree sexual abuse, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, two counts of unlawfully dealing with a child and unlawful imprisonment.

The charges stem from an incident early Monday at his home. He was charged with unlawful imprisonment for dragging one of the girls downstairs against her will, police said.

The girls were not students at his business, Back To Back Gymnastics School, in the St. Lawrence Centre mall, police said. The investigation continues.