On February 23, 2024, the Florida Department of Health issued an Emergency Order restricting Wilmer Osorio Lopez's license to work as a massage therapist following allegations that he sexually assaulted a 24-year-old male client at Spavia Day Spa in Naples. Osorio Lopez has been a licensed massage therapist in Florida since January 2023. The emergency restriction prohibits Osorio Lopez from performing any massage therapy on male clients as a result of this Order.
According to the Emergency Order, on December 3, 2023, Osorio Lopez performed a 60-minute massage on his client. Osorio Lopez instructed the client to lie face-down under two sheets. During the massage, Osorio Lopez pushed his fingers inside the client's underwear multiple times. The client asked if he should have taken them off prior to the massage, and Osorio Lopez indicated that it would be better for the massage and pulled them off, leaving the client's buttocks exposed.
Osorio Lopez placed the sheet on the client and asked him to turn over to lie on his back. Osorio Lopez asked the client if he wanted the top sheet taken off, but he was surprised when the bottom sheet was also down, exposing his genitals. Osorio Lopez then allegedly grabbed the client's genitalia and began stroking it. The client asked Lopez to stop and was shocked about what had happened. Osorio Lopez did not stop, and the client indicated not to be touched near his genitals. Osorio Lopez placed the sheet back on the client and told him he did it only because he "looked horny."
Wilmer Osorio Lopez apologized the the client and asked him not to say anything. He then got his phone number from the system and texted the client post-massage, stating he made a mistake. The client had to block the calls because of the repeated attempts to contact him.
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. Incidents such as this are a reminder that persons who may commit sexual misconduct work in all industries, even professions in which we typically place our blind trust. All allegations of sexual abuse must be thoroughly investigated by law enforcement, and employers must be especially vigilant in supervision and protection at all times. Wilmer Osorio Lopez has been accused of abusing his power and lacking good moral judgment to massage male clients 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.