A massage therapist who formerly worked at Massage Envy in West Goshen Township is accused of sexually assaulting a client, the Chester County District Attorney’s Office announced on Wednesday, May 6, in a press release.
Police said James R. Deiter, 63, of Holtwood, faces charges that include aggravated indecent assault and indecent assault. He was terminated from his position at the Massage Envy in the 1100 block of West Chester Pike, as soon as these criminal allegations arose, the release said.
“This defendant took advantage of a victim in a very vulnerable position,” said First Assistant District Attorney Michael Noone in the release. “The defendant groomed the victim by providing massage therapy a number of times before sexually assaulting her. He waited until he had earned her trust over a number of appointments before assaulting her.”
Deiter, who is incarcerated after failing to post $25,000 bail, had worked at Massage Envy for one year. He also provided massage therapy at Pathways to Healing in Lancaster County, the release said.
According to the criminal complaint, the alleged victim contacted West Goshen Police immediately and reported that Deiter had touched her inappropriately during a May 2 massage. Deiter agreed to be interviewed by police and admitted the conduct, even providing investigators with the names of four other women with whom similar situations had occurred at the West Goshen facility, the complaint said.
Deiter further stated that another woman had filed a complaint with Massage Envy that he fondled her, but that he does not remember doing so, the complaint said. He added that he was suspended for one week from Massage Envy when that occurred but when the girl refused to come in and provide a statement, he was allowed to return to work, the complaint said.
“Based on the experience of law enforcement, there may be other victims out there,” said Noone in the release. “We are asking anybody with information to contact the police immediately.”
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday, May 7, in West Goshen district court, according to court records.
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading...
Comments