TAMPA, Fla. — A Florida man, who is an unlicensed masseuse, is accused of sexually battering a client in his home last month, authorities said.
Jose Garcia, 68, of Ruskin, was arrested Wednesday and charged with four counts of sexual battery, according to Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office online booking records.
According to the sheriff’s office, Garcia sexually battered a woman who came to his home on March 29 to relieve her back pain, the Tampa Bay Times reported.
Unlicensed massage therapist accused of sexual assault in Ruskin; additional victims sought https://t.co/jfJTndAZmw pic.twitter.com/y87khac5zD
— WFLA NEWS (@WFLA) April 7, 2022
Garcia, who only speaks Spanish, has a client base made up mostly of Hispanic residents, the newspaper reported. He told detectives that he had operated a massage business from his home for 12 years after receiving training in Mexico, according to the Times.
Detectives said Garcia admitted to the crime, WFLA-TV reported.
Deputies later learned that Garcia was was not licensed with the Florida Board of Massage Therapy, according to the television station. To earn a license, a candidate must complete a course of study that exceeds more than 500 hours and pass an exam. There are also additional requirements, according to the board’s website.
“This is a man who took advantage of people who came to him seeking help for their ailments,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “Our fear now, is that there are more victims out there who may not speak English or know they can come forward to report these crimes. Thanks to our diverse group of talented, caring, and bilingual deputies, we are here to help them seek the justice they deserve.”
Garcia could face additional charges, WTVT reported.
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