On March 17, 2025, the Florida Board of Massage Therapy issued a Final Order permanently revoking Erick Carmona Barrios’ massage therapy license for a sexual assault he allegedly committed on a female client at Sun Curves Bronze in Miami Beach. Erick Barrios’ previously had his license to practice as a massage therapist restricted by the Florida Department of Health. The Order of Emergency Suspension was issued following Barrios’ arrest in April 2024 for sexual assault on the female client. Erick Barrios had been a licensed massage therapist in Florida since 2017.
According to the Emergency Order, Erick Barrios was arrested by Miami Beach police in April 2024 after a female client reported having been sexually assaulted by Barrios. 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. Barrios had been working at Sun Curves Miami for less than one year.
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, prematurely ended the massage, and reported the assault to the front desk. She then contacted Miami Beach Police, who arrested Barrios 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. According to an arrest affidavit, law enforcement interviewed Barrios who said he could have touched his client’s vaginal area but did not do so with any wrongful intentions. As of March 2025, the criminal case against Barrios remains pending in Miami-Dade.
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 practice massage therapy safely. Barrios willfully abused his position as a massage therapist to sexually violate a patient. Erick Barrios abused his power and lacked good moral judgment to practice massage safely.
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.