Massage therapist accused of fondling clients - Indianapolis Star

[massage]

Ryan B. Farmer(Photo: Provided by the Johnson County Sheriff's Office)


A massage therapist from Franklin was charged with battery after prosecutors say he fondled three female clients.

Ryan B. Farmer, 24, groped the women's breasts while he gave them massages at CMG Family Wellness Center, 198 E. Jefferson St., according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Johnson Superior Court.

The first victim, who is 18, told police that Farmer had touched her inappropriately on March 23.

She told police Farmer's touching made her feel uncomfortable, but she didn't object "because she didn't know if this was something that was normally done during a massage."

After the massage, court records say Farmer told the woman: "This stays between you and I."

Later that day, the woman went to the Franklin Police Department and reported the incident.

Farmer said he was shocked to hear the allegations and denied touching the woman during an interview with police on March 28, according to court records.

Then, on May 13, prosecutors say Farmer fondled two more women.

When police tried to interview Farmer on May 19, prosecutors say he refused to answer questions and asked for a lawyer.

On May 26, according to court records, the center's owners Melissa Pyatskowit and Georgianne Pangallo told Franklin police that Farmer had resigned.

"It's devastating to us that any of our clients were given improper care," Pangallo told IndyStar.

Pangallo said she was prepared to fire Farmer, but allowed him to resign so he could not claim unemployment benefits.

Farmer's massage therapy license remains valid, according to online records at the Indiana Massage Therapy Board. Farmer's license will expire May 15, 2017.

Prosecutors charged Farmer with three misdemeanor counts of battery on June 23. No court dates have been scheduled.

Call IndyStar reporter Vic Ryckaert at (317) 444-2701. Follow him on Twitter: @vicryc.

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