Miami Beach police arrested 51-year-old massage therapist Erick Barrios on April 8, 2024, after a female client reported having been sexually assaulted by Barrios last week. The alleged victim was scheduled to receive a two-hour lymphatic massage from Barrios last week at Sun Curves Miami in Miami Beach, Florida. She had received two prior massages from Barrios without incident.
According to media reports, near the end of the massage appointment, Barrios removed the victim's underwear and began rubbing the victim's genitals. When the victim told Barrios to "stop," Barrios began fondling the victim's breasts. Barrios then reportedly continued to touch the victim's genitals before digitally penetrating the victim with his fingers. The victim then again told Barrios to stop, which he did. The alleged victim then told Barrios she needed to use the bathroom, at which time she got dressed and reported the assault to the front desk. The alleged victim then contacted Miami Beach Police, who arrested Barrios on Monday on charges of sexual battery of a physically helpless individual. Law enforcement investigators said that surveillance video from the spa's lobby showed that the victim was distraught and put her clothes on backward as she hastily exited the massage room.
A Miami-Dade judge granted Barrios a $10,000 bond and transported him to the Metro West Detention Center. His attorney says he will be transferred to the Krome Detention Center on an immigration hold.
Erick Barrios has been licensed as a massage therapist in Florida since 2017 according to Department of Health records. Barrios' license was in good standing at the time of his arrest. Erick Barrios is also legally blind, according to media reports. Barrios had been working at Sun Curves Miami for less than one year, according to media reports.
There are numerous pending civil lawsuits involving sexual misconduct at various massages and spas in the State of Florida. Under Florida law, massage therapists occupy positions of trust, and all sexual activity between the massage therapist and clients is strictly prohibited. A massage therapist may not use his relationship with a client to induce or attempt to induce the patient to engage or to engage or attempt to engage the client in sexual activity outside the scope of practice or the scope of generally accepted treatment.
Horowitz Law has filed numerous sexual assault lawsuits against massage therapists on behalf of clients who were sexually assaulted during massages at day spas and resorts. 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 send an e-mail to sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz at adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com for a free consultation.