Massage therapist will spend 9 months in jail for groping client's breasts

BELLEVUE, Wash. — A massage therapist who admits that he groped a woman’s breasts during a Bellevue spa treatment is headed to jail for nine months.

As part of his deal with the King County Prosecutor’s Office, Reggy Michael Arntsen, will also give up his license to practice massage in Washington State.

Arntsen was originally charged with assault for the sexually motivated attack on Diana Lane at Yuan Spa on 106th Avenue Northeast in Bellevue in October 2013. He agreed to plead guilty to a lesser charge, felony indecent liberties, and will not have to register as a sex offender.  A guilty verdict or guilty plea to assault with sexual motivation would have required registration.

During the sentencing proceeding on Friday, Lane told the judge how being victimized by Arntsen changed her life.  

"In the days and months following the assault I was unable to work, unable to take care of my children or enjoy my life with my husband," she said through tears.  "As the victim of his sexual assault, I do not get to walk away from the violation I endured. I do not get to 'do my time' and move on."

Arntsen, who will turn 39 on Saturday, apologized. "I would just like to express my sorrows and my regret to her and her family," he said.  

However, as he was handcuffed and taken into custody immediately after the sentencing, he looked at Lane and smirked. Lane told KIRO 7 that that look told her that Arntsen wasn't remorseful for the attack despite what he told King County Superior Court Judge Dean Lum.

As part of his plea deal, Arntsen promised the court that he will forfeit his massage license and will not seek a health care job again in the state of Washington.  

However, KIRO 7 confirmed with the Washington State Department of Health that Arntsen's massage license was under a different name; Reggy Michael Nelson.  The Department of Health is now investigating the discrepancy with the names.

Meanwhile, the name confusion concerns his victim. 

"What if he uses a false name again to get a license?" Lane asked. "It makes me feel much less secure that he's not going to be able to get a license in the future."

KIRO 7 has also learned that before being hired at the Yuan spa, Arntsen was the subject of two sexual misconduct complaints filed with the Department of Health. 

According to court documents, one complaint alleged the same type of crime committed against Lane. However, no criminal charges were ever filed.  No disciplinary action was ever taken against Arnsten by the Department of Health.

King County Prosecutor’s Office spokesman Dan Donohoe released the following statement Friday about the plea deal with Arntsen: “The resolution in this case holds the defendant accountable on a felony level. It is also a strike offense under the state’s ‘Three Strikes’ law.  In addition, he will be required to forfeit his license as a health care practitioner, which will prohibit him from working as a licensed massage therapist.”

Want to talk about the news of the day? Watch free streaming video on the KIRO 7 mobile app and iPad app, and join us here on Facebook.

KIRO