Masseur accused of assaulting female customer at NE Bend spa facing new charges involving two other women - KTVZ

[By Barney Lerten]

Two incidents allegedly occurred just days after Jianming Tang's release on bail on initial charge

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A man arrested last year on charges of sexually abusing a female massage customer at a northeast Bend spa was arraigned Thursday on revised charges involving two other women at the same location – incidents that allegedly occurred less than two weeks after his release on bail.

Jianming Tang, who turns 47 on Friday, appeared by phone for Thursday’s arraignment on the amended information, now facing six Class A misdemeanor charges – three counts each of third-degree sexual abuse and practicing massage without a license.

As in past sessions, a Mandarin interpreter helped Tang follow the proceedings before Deschutes County Circuit Judge Randy Miller. Court filings list no place of residence for Tang, who was working at the May Spa on Northeast Bellevue Drive at the time of the allegations. The initial alleged victim took part in an undercover operation that led to Tang’s arrest.

The initial charges involved alleged sexual contact at the May Spa in July 2023. The added charges involve two women and incidents of sexual contact that occurred on Sept. 23 and 29 of last year. That's less than two weeks after Tang signed a Sept. 18 release agreement, agreeing to post10% of his $10,000 bail and comply with several conditions, including no contact with the alleged victim.

Tang’s attorney, Jason Wheeless, said it was not yet clear to him why the new charges were filed Oct. 30, more than a year after the alleged crimes. Deputy District Attorney Alison Filo told us all of the charges will be addressed at a subsequent hearing.

Due to the additional charges and the time needed to prepare, Wheeless told the judge he expects to file a motion seeking to delay Tang’s four-day trial, already scheduled for next Jan. 14 before a six-person jury. A trial readiness hearing is scheduled for Jan. 7.

Tang pleaded not guilty last May to the initial two charges, and a plea date for the new charges has not been set. For now, pending the defense motion for a trial delay, Judge Miller did not reschedule it.