On August 14, 2024, massage Marco Hernandez of Orange County, Florida, got his license to practice restricted by the Florida Department of Health. An Order of Emergency Restriction was issued after a complaint was filed against Hernandez of sexual assault on a client while working at The Now Massage Downtown Orlando. Hernandez has been a licensed massage therapist in Florida since 2022. The emergency order prohibits Hernandez from practicing massage therapy on female patients in Florida, effective immediately.
According to the Emergency Order, a 26-year-old female client received a massage from Marco Hernandez at The Now Massage in Orlando on March 8, 2024. The Order states that the client was disrobed with underwear, lying face down, and covered by a sheet. Hernandez exposed the client's buttocks and massaged her upper thighs. He then asked her to flip over, and Hernandez massaged the client's groin area and inner thigh. The client claims that Hernandez then placed his hand under her underwear and touched her vaginal area. The client told Hernandez immediately that that behavior was not welcomed and out of her comfort zone.
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 to practice massage therapy safely. Hernandez willfully abused his position as a massage therapist to sexually violate a patient. Hernandez abused his power and lacked good moral judgment to practice massage safely on female clients, which presented a serious danger to the public and therefore prohibited the practice of massage therapy on female clients in Florida.
Horowitz Law has filed numerous sexual assault lawsuits against massage therapists for clients who were inappropriately touched at The Now Massage and various 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.