On September 13, 2024, massage therapist Darren Kitchel of Pinellas County, Florida, got his license to practice massage therapy restricted by the Florida Department of Health following his arrest on sexual battery charges. An Order of Emergency Restriction was issued after an Administrative complaint was filed against Kitchel of sexual assault on a client while working for himself at Deep Kneads Clinical Therapy located at 3510 1st Ave N #225, St. Petersburg, FL. Kitchel was arrested on sexual battery charges in March 2024 with a bond set at $15,000. Kitchel has been a licensed massage therapist in Florida since 2020. The emergency order prohibits Kitchel from practicing massage therapy on female patients in Florida, effective immediately.
According to the Emergency Order, on February 23, 2024, Kitchel performed a 60-minute massage on a female client. The complaint states that the client disrobed and was covered by a sheet. Kitchel then allegedly massaged the client's inner thigh, placed his hands on her vagina, and rubbed her clitoris. The client states that she immediately shouted that he was going too far, and Kitchel then removed his hands from her vagina. The client was in shock and felt extremely uncomfortable, but Kitchel proceeded to finish the massage. When the massage ended, Kitchel told the client that he was "sorry that he encroached" and just wanted to make her feel good. The client then reported the incident to the St. Petersburg Police Department, and during the investigation, Kitchel told the police that he admitted to "taking it too far and that he would not touch her vagina again."
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. Kitchel willfully abused his position as a massage therapist to sexually violate a patient. Kitchel abused his power and lacked good moral judgment to practice massage safely on female clients, which presented a serious danger to the public; therefore, as a result of his actions, he is prohibited from practicing 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 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.