On March 3, 2026, the Florida Department of Health, Board of Massage Therapy, issued an Emergency Suspension Order against the license of massage therapist Henry J. Stafford in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Order was issued after a report was made alleging sexual misconduct during a massage Stafford performed while working at Oakhouse Day Spa, located at 8850 4th Street N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702. Stafford obtained his massage therapist license in Florida in 2019.
According to the Emergency Order, on or about October 11, 2025, a woman received a massage from Stafford at Oakhouse Day Spa. In preparation for the massage, the client disrobed to her lower undergarments, lay on the massage table, and covered herself with a sheet. Toward the end of the massage, while massaging the client’s upper inner thigh, Stafford allegedly ran his fingers along the edge of the client’s undergarments.
Stafford then whispered in the client’s ear, asking if she wanted him to “make [her] cum,” repeating the question multiple times. Stafford allegedly moved his hand underneath the client’s undergarments and onto her vagina, rubbed her labia and clitoris, inserted his fingers into her vagina, and placed his mouth on the client’s breast. The client reportedly froze in shock during the incident.
Allegations Against Henry Stafford
According to the Department of Health’s Emergency Order, Stafford allegedly engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct toward the end of the massage, including:
- running his fingers along the edge of the patient’s undergarments while massaging her upper inner thigh
- repeatedly whispering a sexually explicit question to the patient
- moving his hand underneath the patient’s undergarments and onto her vagina
- rubbing the patient’s labia and clitoris
- inserting one or more fingers into the patient’s vagina
- placing his mouth on the patient’s breast
According to the Department’s findings, the alleged misconduct ended when the scheduled massage session concluded.
After leaving the spa, the patient reportedly told a friend about the incident in the parking lot. The friend encouraged her to return to the establishment and report what had occurred, which she did.
Emergency Suspension of License
The Department of Health concluded that Stafford abused his position as a massage therapist to sexually violate a patient who trusted him to act professionally.
State regulators determined that Stafford’s conduct demonstrated a lack of good judgment and moral character necessary to safely practice massage therapy, and that allowing him to continue practicing would present a danger to the public.
As a result, the Department issued an immediate suspension of Stafford’s license pending further disciplinary proceedings.
Massage Therapists Occupy Positions of Trust
When clients schedule a massage, they do so to relax and relieve stress. They trust that licensed massage therapists are properly vetted and will act professionally, with integrity, and with respect for boundaries.
Under Florida law, massage therapists occupy positions of trust, and any sexual contact with a client is strictly prohibited. A therapist may not use the therapist-client relationship to induce or attempt to induce a client to engage in sexual activity outside the accepted scope of practice or standards of treatment.
It is unlawful, unethical, and a violation of professional duty for any massage therapist to touch a client sexually. Because massage therapy occurs in private settings where clients are especially vulnerable, practitioners are expected to exercise sound judgment and uphold the highest standards of moral character.
Horowitz Law Is Here to Help
Horowitz Law has filed numerous sexual assault lawsuits against massage therapists for clients who were inappropriately touched at various massage salons and spas. If you have 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 888-283-9922 or email sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz for a free consultation.