On March 11, 2021, the Florida Department of Health restricted the license of massage therapist Aramis Savedra Barcelo from Naples, Florida. The Surgeon General issued an Emergency Order restricting the massage therapy license of Aramis Savedra Barcelo, L.M.T., in response to sexual misconduct alleged by a 31-year old female client at Massage Heights located at 2348 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, FL 34109. The Emergency Order prohibits Barcelo from practicing massage therapy on female clients in the State of Florida.
UPDATE: On April 21, 2022, The Florida Department of Health Board of Massage Therapy issued an order permanently revoking the massage therapy license of Aramis Savedra Barcelo. The Board made findings of fact that Aramis Savedra Barcelo sexually assaulted his female client.
Aramis Savedra Barcelo has been a licensed massage therapist in Florida since November 2018. On December 12, 2020 Barcelo was employed at Massage Heights. His client came in for a massage and foot scrub. He began the massage with the client face down, and mid-way through, asked her to flip over on to her back. Barcelo then allegedly began touching the client's vagina and inner thigh. He apologized for getting too close. He then took out hot stones for use, but the client stated she did not book a hot stone massage. Barcelo informed the client that he would not charge her extra; he just liked using them. He then placed the stones under her draping and rubbed her vagina with a stone. He then allegedly grabbed the client's breast and twisted her nipple under the sheet. The client then noticed she felt something wet on her vagina, and she immediately opened her eyes to find Barcelo's head between her legs. When the massage ended, the client told her boyfriend what transpired and then reported it to management. She also filed a police report with the Collier County Sheriff's Office but did not prosecute.
When clients schedule a massage, it is for the purpose of relaxation and escaping the stresses of life. They trust that the massage therapists employed at the spa are carefully vetted and safe to engage with the public. It is unacceptable, immoral and unlawful for any employee to touch a client in a sexual manner. 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 those circumstances, massage therapists must possess good judgment and good moral character in order to safely practice massage therapy.
Horowitz Law has filed numerous sexual assault lawsuits against massage therapists on behalf of clients who were inappropriately touched at various franchises, 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 for massage clients at adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com for a free consultation.