Licensed massage therapist accused of raping client - KUTV 2News

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Licensed massage therapist accused of raping client (Photo: KUTV)

Salt Lake City —
(KUTV) Salt Lake City Police are looking for 22-year-old Nevin Sheehan, who has a warrant for his arrest for felony object rape.

According to the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s probable cause statement, a woman said Sheehan touched her inappropriately in and around her genitals during a 90-minute massage at Healing Mountain Massage School in downtown Salt Lake City in July, 2016.

Jesse Nikola, acting president of Healing Mountain Massage School, said the school immediately removed Sheehan from contact with clients after the woman reported the assault to them. Nikola said school officials urged the woman to file a police report against Sheehan.

"This is something that we can't tolerate in our community and we want to put a stop to those types of things," said detective Robert Ungricht.

A judge signed the warrant for Sheehan’s arrest Wednesday morning. Police looked for him throughout the day and made contact over the phone Wednesday afternoon. Sheehan promised detectives he would turn himself into authorities within 24 hours.

2News researched the status of Sheehan’s license for massage therapy. According to state records, Sheehan graduated from Healing Mountain Massage School in July 2015. He earned his license in October 2015. It will expire May 31, 2017.

Sheehan’s license is still listed as active with no disciplinary actions.

Jennifer Bolton, spokeswoman for the Utah Division of Professional Licensing, said everyone gets the right to due process of the law. She said professional license applicants must answer and explain if they have been convicted of crimes.

“DOPL works closely with our law enforcement partners and will monitor the details in this case as it moves forward,” Bolton said. “There’s no formula. It will be reviewed on a case by case basis.”

Salt Lake City residents who frequent massage clinics in the area said this isolated event would not keep them from visiting massage therapists.

"I haven't had any issues feeling uncomfortable. I feel like I've always been well taken care of as far as modesty," Carly Van Leeuwen said. "We're actually planning on going [to Healing Mountain]. I haven't heard anything bad, personally, from friends who have had massages there."

Unified Police said Healing Mountain had no other reports of sexual assault against massage therapists at their location.


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