Tampa massage therapist, Jhonnie Ramirez, surrendered his license to practice massage therapy in Florida, which was accepted and adjudged as a discipline on November 29, 2021, by the Board of Massage Therapy. Following a disciplinary action brought by the Florida Department of Health alleging sexual misconduct at Massage Envy, Ramirez agreed to cease practicing immediately and not re-apply for a massage therapist license in Florida. Ramirez has been a licensed massage therapist in Florida since 2016.
A Final Order of discipline was entered following an allegation of sexual misconduct made against Ramirez when working at Massage Envy in Tampa, Florida. According to the Order, Ramirez was arrested on February 11, 2021, in Hillsborough County, for Felony Sexual Battery on a Person Eighteen (18) or Older. The arrest report by Tampa Police indicates that on November 20, 2020, Ramirez performed a massage on an 18-year-old female at a Tampa Massage Envy. (Location not disclosed)
During the massage, the victim was in and out of consciousness due to being extremely relaxed. The victim felt Ramirez pull her left leg to the side and then began to massage her calf. She noticed that Ramirez moved up to her upper leg and inner thigh. in which he then tugged at her underwear. She reported that Ramirez inserted two of his fingers inside her vagina. The victim immediately sat up, and Ramirez apologized and asked her not to tell anyone.
Ramirez was asked multiple times to exit the massage room by the victim. When he finally did leave the room, the victim called a friend to pick her up. She then reported the incident to the front desk staff.
According to the Criminal Arrest Affidavit, Ramirez admitted to the sexual abuse and even demonstrated how “he touched the victim’s vagina with his index and middle finger in a circular motion.” He admitted that his actions were unprofessional and claimed that he “got lost in the moment, as he was brought into the energy and feeling sexual.” Ramirez was terminated from his position at Massage Envy. Ramirez was found guilty and charged with a second-degree felony and is a registered sex offender.
The disciplinary order continues a long and disturbing trend of sexual misconduct by massage therapists statewide. Under Florida law, massage therapists occupy positions of trust, and all sexual activity between the massage therapist and clients is strictly prohibited.
Jhonnie Ramirez violated the massage therapist-patient relationship. 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 patient in sexual activity outside the scope of practice or the scope of generally accepted examination or treatment of the patient.
Attorney Adam Horowitz has filed numerous sexual misconduct claims against massage therapists on behalf of clients who were inappropriately touched during a massage or spa service. A massage therapist is never permitted to have sexual contact with a client. If you have been a victim of sexual assault or sexual battery during a massage at Massage Envy or any other spa, or if you know someone who has, please contact our law firm at 888-283-9922 or e-mail sexual abuse lawyer, Adam Horowitz today.
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