Massage therapist sentenced for sexually assaulting women in Gilbert, Queen Creek - Arizona's Family

[David Baker]

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A Casa Grande massage therapist who sexually assaulted customers in the East Valley learned his punishment on Thursday.

The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said 47-year-old Rual Ochoa was sentenced to five years in prison as part of a plea deal.

The incidents happened between May 2022 and February 2023 at two different day spas, El Bella Day Spa in Gilbert and Hand & Stone Day Spa in Queen Creek.

During several incidents, Ochoa inappropriately touched and groped customers.

“This defendant took advantage of these women who had placed their trust in him,” said Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. “This case highlights the bravery of the survivors who came forward to ensure that justice was served, and that this perpetrator could no longer harm others.”

Prosecutors said the victims were left with “lasting emotional and psychological scars, including nightmares and ongoing distress.”

Ochoa was arrested on May 30, 2023.

He later pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual abuse, one count of attempt to commit sexual assault and one count of assault with sexual motivation.

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