Charges downgraded in Nazareth massage parlor attack - lehighvalleylive.com

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Prosecutors admit they can't prove a Monroe County man inappropriately touched a masseuse or caused her serious bodily injury during an incident at a Nazareth spa.

As a result, charges of aggravated assault and indecent assault have been dropped against 27-year-old Frantz Matthew Bernard Jr. of Tobyhanna, according to court papers filed Friday.

Bernard is accused of sending a topless masseuse running out of Green Massage Spa shouting for help on May 13, 2015.

Man assaults, forces Nazareth masseuse to perform sex acts, court records say

Police initially said he started touching the masseuse inappropriately as she massaged him while he lay down naked inside the spa at 162 Bath-Nazareth Highway in Nazareth. He allegedly forced her to perform sex acts on him when she asked him to stop.

Prosecutors have backpedaled from all of those allegations, according to papers filed Friday.

"The Commonwealth submits that it will not be able to meet its burden of proof on the charges of aggravated assault and indecent assault," wrote Northampton County Assistant District Attorney Tatum Wilson. "This conclusion was reached after a thorough investigation by the Nazareth Police Department and the Commonwealth."

Prosecutors still believe Bernard put his hands around the masseuse's neck, struck her multiple times, held her down and caused swelling and bruising to her face.

Alleged massage parlor attacker says he can't afford lawyer

He remains charged with simple assault, which means prosecutors believe he committed bodily injury against the masseuse, not serious bodily injury as is required for aggravated assault.

He also remains charged with unlawful restraint and harassment.

Judge Paula Roscioli approved the withdrawal of the more serious charges Friday.

Hillary A. Madden represented Bernard at the preliminary hearing in July. He's now represented by public defender Robert Eyer.

Bernard rejected a plea deal offered Sept. 3, according to the online court docket.

Rudy Miller may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook.

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