Grand Rapids massage therapist who molested client sentenced to prison - Detroit Free Press

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John Ashby(Photo: WZZM)


GRAND RAPIDS — A Grand Rapids massage therapist was sentenced to prison Thursday for sexually assaulting a client in what a judge called “a disturbing set of circumstances.’’

“You had several of these ladies that came to you and you violated them,’’ Kent County Circuit Court Judge Mark Trusock said.

John Timothy Ashby pleaded no contest in August to third-degree criminal sexual conduct for assaulting a client during a therapy session in February. The offense carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.

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Under a plea agreement, the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office agreed not to pursue additional charges involving three other women who came forward to say Ashby assaulted them while working at Massage Green Spa at Centerpoint Mall in Grand Rapids.

The victim of the February assault confronted Ashby in court Thursday, telling the judge that Ashby should never be put in a position where he can violate clients.

“I just want to make sure that this man does not ever again use a position to sexually assault any other women,’’ she said. “What should have been a relaxing day has been anything but since that point.’’

Trusock thanked her for her comments, adding: “I’m sorry you had to go through that.’’

He then turned his attention to Ashby, 54, who has no prior criminal record.

“This is no small thing,’’ Trusock said. “These women become real victims when you violate them in this way. And there’s just no excuse and there’s no justification for that.’’

He sentenced Ashby to serve between one and 15 years in prison and directed that he be placed on Michigan’s Sex Offender Registry.

“Sir, while you’re sitting the next year in prison I hope every day you think about the pain that you’ve caused these ladies that you’ve violated,’’ Trusock told Ashby.

Ashby, of Caledonia, was licensed as a massage therapist in 2014 and worked as a private contractor at the Massage Green Spa.

Ashby is the second spa employee convicted this year of inappropriate contact with clients at Massage Green Spa, which has since closed.

Massage therapist Lance Martinez pleaded no contest in June to fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. He admitted to touching a woman’s breasts during a message in Sept. 2015. A Kent County judge in late July sentenced Martinez to three months in jail and placed him on probation for three years.

John Hogan is a reporter for WZZM.

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