Massage therapist Joseph Paul Correia III has been criminally charged with sexual battery in connection with incidents of sexual misconduct at Pink Cottage of Jensen Day Spa & Beautique. The spa is located at 3216 NE Maple Avenue in Jensen Beach, Florida. On August 15, 2018, the Florida Department of Health issued an Emergency Order that prohibits Correia from practicing massage therapy with female clients.
According to law enforcement, there are now at least four alleged victims of Correia dating back to March 2018. According to one news story, the spa owner told law enforcement deputies she had not receives other sexual misconduct complaint about Correia, but deputies told her they had investigated Correia previously for a similar act. Later, the spa owner admitted to a newspaper reporter that he had previously received an informal complaint. Correia, age 50, lives in Port St. Lucie. According to public records, Correia has been licensed since 2013.
Clients of massage therapists are placed in isolated, vulnerable settings where they can be subject to abuse by their massage therapists. Due to the potential for abuse that is inherent under these circumstances, massage therapists must possess good judgment and good moral character in order to safely practice massage therapy and must refrain from placing their clients in situations that violate their safety and welfare.
Adam Horowitz is a sexual abuse lawyer who has filed numerous sexual misconduct claims against massage therapists on behalf of clients who were inappropriately touched at numerous spas and resorts. A massage therapist is never permitted to have sexual contact with a client. If you have a been a victim of sexual assault or sexual battery during a massage, or if you know someone who has, please contact our law firm at (954) 641-2100 or send an email to sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz at adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com