Jersey City woman's claim that breasts and buttocks massage she consented to at gym was improper leads to charge of criminal sexual contact against massage therapist
A 20-year-old Jersey City woman who consented to having her breasts and buttocks massaged at a Downtown Jersey City health club said she thought the practice was normal and felt okay having it done since she believed the male massage therapist was gay.
But after someone told her club that the 30-year-old masseur has a girlfriend, she filed a police complaint alleging sexual criminal contact.
The suspect, a Kensington Avenue resident in Jersey City, made his first appearance on the charge in Central Judicial Processing court in Jersey City yesterday via video link from Hudson County jail. He appeared shocked when he was told the charge.
The woman said she was receiving a massage at Club H Fitness, on Christopher Columbus Drive, at about 3:15 p.m. Tuesday when the massage therapist asked her if she wanted her "glutes and breasts" massaged, reports said, adding that she says he told her it was a regular practice.
She consented and the massage therapist removed all her clothing and proceeded, reports said.
She told police she felt uncomfortable but "was under the impression that it was a regular practice" and she believed the suspect "was of a homosexual orientation," reports said.
Later she told her father, who called the club and police, reports said, adding that the victim's boyfriend works at the club. After someone told her the therapist has a girlfriend and the club manager told her the massage was not proper, she filed charges, reports said.
The victim said she has had numerous massages, including ones administered by the suspect, and had never been touched that way, reports said. A warrant for the man's arrest was signed at 8:44 p.m. Tuesday.
The club manager told police the suspect told him the woman had consented to having her breasts and buttocks massaged and that it was a normal massage practice, reports said.
When the massage therapist appeared in court yesterday, Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Howard Bell told the judge that "due to some statements made by the victim, there are some potential problems with the case."
"What should I do now, I am completely surprised," the suspect said in court. "Should I say something?" The public defender advised him to remain silent.
The massage therapist was ordered released on his own recognizance. CJP Judge Richard Nieto ordered he have no contact with the woman and told him he would be notified by mail of his next court date.
Reached by phone last night, the club manager declined further comment.
Joel Lewis, a massage therapist with Massage Envy on Maxwell Lane in Hoboken, said yesterday it is not unusual for massage therapists to massage the buttocks or glutes, assuming the client consents.
But a special certification that requires certain course work is needed to perform breast massages, he said.
"They (massage therapists) are not allowed to touch that (breasts) unless they are certified," Lewis said. "Whether the massage therapist is gay or straight doesn't matter."