Massage therapist arrested for sex assault | Local | jhnewsandguide.com - Jackson Hole News&Guide

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A Jackson massage therapist was arrested Tuesday night after a client said he sexually assaulted her during a massage.


The man appeared in Teton County Circuit Court on Wednesday afternoon charged with second-degree sexual assault, meaning that he “inflicted sexual intrusion on the victim” while being in a position of authority over her.


The court referred to the man by his initials, VIS, because his name is considered confidential under Wyoming’s restricted disclosure law.


His name will be made public if enough probable cause is found for him to be arraigned in felony court, per state law.


The alleged victim called police Tuesday night immediately after the incident, according to charging documents.


The following details, garnered from his court hearing and the probable cause affidavit, might be triggering to some readers.


She said she was gifted a two-hour deep tissue and foot massage for her birthday, and she met the defendant at his massage studio in Jackson on Tuesday. The location of the alleged assault was redacted in court documents.


The woman said the massage started out normally, but at one point the defendant pulled down her underwear and penetrated her with his fingers and penis.


The alleged victim told police she was shocked and said, “I can’t,” and left to go to the restroom.


In an interview the defendant admitted to police that he gave the woman “a butt massage and a happy ending.”


The defendant told officers that the woman did not ask for a happy ending “and that he had done it hoping for more of a financial tip.”


The 28-year-old suspect appeared in court Wednesday afternoon from the Teton County Jail in a virtual hearing.


Attorney Dick Mulligan made a special appearance on behalf of the defendant, and argued that he is not a flight risk because he has lived in Jackson for four years.


Mulligan also argued for his client to be able to keep his massage therapy job while out on pretrial release.


Teton County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Clay Kainer said that would be inappropriate, comparing it to a doctor being allowed to practice medicine after molesting a child at work.


“That’s a harsh analogy by Mr. Kainer, Your Honor,” Mulligan said.


Judge Jim Radda agreed that the defendant should not be conducting massages while out on pretrial release.


He ordered the defendant to find a different job if he is able to post the $20,000 cash bond set by the court.


The defendant is accused of sexually assaulting the woman by asserting his position of authority over her.


Charging documents point to case law regarding a similar conviction in Powell. After an appeal, justices ruled that a massage therapist is in a position of authority when dealing with a client.


The defendant was ordered to not have any contact with the victim.


There are no licensing requirements for massage therapy in the state of Wyoming. Mulligan said the man is an independent contractor.