Charge: Massage therapist molested client at Plymouth spa - Minneapolis Star Tribune

[massage]

A massage therapist has been charged with molesting a female client during a session at the business’ Plymouth spa.

Lucas D. Peterson, 32, of Plymouth, was charged by summons Monday in Hennepin County District Court with fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. Peterson has not been arrested. His fiancée said Tuesday that he was not available for comment.

Peterson worked at the Massage Retreat & Spa, just off of Rockford Road and west of Hwy. 169. A staff member said Tuesday that Peterson is no longer employed there.

According to the criminal complaint:

The woman told police that during her 90-minute massage on Aug. 20 that Peterson grabbed her right hand “and interlaced her fingers with his fingers,” then moved his free hand up her thigh and rubbed her genitals over her underwear.

She said “no thank you” to him. He replied, “oh, oh, sorry” and moved his hand back to her leg.

The woman reported what Peterson did to a woman working at the front desk and then to police.

Massage Retreat’s corporate headquarters are located in New Hope. Along with Plymouth, the company has locales in Eden Prairie, Edina, Maple Grove, Savage, Shoreview and Woodbury.

Licensing of massage therapists varies from city to city. Plymouth does require licensing, which includes a criminal-background check. Edina and Eden Prairie, for example, do not require massage therapists to be licensed.

Peterson has been a licensed massage therapist in Plymouth since Jan. 1. His license was set to expire on Dec. 31, but he withdrew his renewal application “until the situation is resolved through the court,” said City Clerk Sandy Engdahl.

In his initial license application submitted late last year, Peterson noted that his training at Massage Retreat & Spa began in September 2014. Massage Envy in Myrtle Beach, S.C., also was listed among his previous experience, working there for several months until July 2014. A manager at that location said there were no problems associated with his employment there.



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