Javarous McNealy, a licensed massage therapist working at Massage Envy in Port Charlotte, was arrested on August 29, 2018 in connection with an allegation that he sexually assaulted a male client. The client reports that he fell asleep during the massage at Massage Envy. He woke up to find his penis being stroked and his scrotum in McNealy’s mouth. He immediately confronted McNealy who apologized and left the room. After arriving at home, the alleged victim contacted the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. Detectives used DNA evidence to make the arrest in the case which arose during an April 2018 massage. According to law enforcement records, DNA founds on the genitals of the victim matched the DNA collected from McNealy. After being confronted with the DNA evidence, McNealy admitted to performing oral sex on his client.
According to the Florida Department of Health records, Javarous Lashay McNealy has been licensed since August 2016. As of the date of his arrest, his license is still active and in good standing. This highlights the need for better coordination between law enforcement and the Department of Health to ensure that massage therapists cannot remain licensed without restrictions while facing serious criminal charges for sexual misconduct. Innocent consumers and prospective employers may check a massage therapist’s license status and see it is in good standing and be totally unaware that the massage therapist is facing criminal charges for sexual misconduct.
If you have a been a victim of sexual assault in a spa or 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 [email protected]