On July 30, 2024, Erick Barrios of Miami-Dade County got his license to practice as a massage therapist in the state of Florida suspended by the Florida Department of Health. An Order of Emergency Suspension was issued following Barrios’ arrest in April for sexual assault on a female client. Erick Barrios has been a licensed massage therapist in Florida since 2017. Florida statutes state the Department of Health shall suspend the license of any healthcare provider/practitioner who is arrested for committing or attempting to commit any act of sexual assault on clients. The emergency order prohibits Barrios from practicing massage therapy in Florida, effective immediately.
According to the Emergency Order, Erick Barrios was arrested by Miami Beach police on April 8, 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 and reported the assault to the front desk. The alleged victim 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.
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.