Attorney accused of sexually assaulting massage therapists at knifepoint

SEATTLE — Police have arrested a man who is suspected of sexually assaulting massage therapists in Seattle and Bellevue at knifepoint.

The suspect, Danford Grant, is a Seattle attorney. He was booked into the King County Jail on Tuesday on suspicion of rape.

Seattle police said Grant allegedly sexually assaulted two massage therapists in a massage clinic on two different occasions. On Monday night, the owner recognized him when he returned.

She told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News that she and a friend, Gian Guo, tried to take him down using kung fu, and that he fought back viciously.

"Guo realized that the guy might have a knife near him, but he was not afraid," the owner said through an interpreter.  "All he wanted to was to just get him. So finally, he was able to control that guy, and after 10 minutes, the police arrived."

Bellevue police spokeswoman Carla Iafrate said the same man is suspected of raping a massage therapist in Bellevue last month. Police said the man threatened that therapist with a pocket knife and sexually assaulted her.

The victim in that case helped police create a sketch of the attacker.

Grant, 47, is a partner in a Seattle law firm. Grant has been honored as  a rising star in the field of employment law, said KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reporter Gary Horcher.

Grant's first court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

KIRO