On June 20, 2024, massage therapist Danis Delgado pleaded no contest in Broward County, Florida to the crimes of Felony Battery and Simple Battery. The criminal charges arose from his alleged sexual assault of a female client at the Massage Envy franchise location in Hollywood, Florida. As a result of this plea, Delgado was placed on probation for 60 months. The Florida Department of Health previously issued an Emergency Order on March 22, 2021 restricting the massage therapy license of Danis Diaz Delgado in response to this same sexual misconduct. The Order prohibits Danis Diaz Delgado from practicing massage therapy on female clients in the State of Florida. Delgado has been a licensed massage therapist in Florida since June 2020.
On January 22, 2021, Delgado was employed at a Massage Envy located at 1640 Sheridan Street, Hollywood, FL 33020 (West Lake Commons). On that day, Delgado provided a 60-minute massage to a 28-year-old female client. During the massage, Delgado massaged the client's upper inner thigh and reportedly moved his hand to her vaginal area and then rubbed her vagina over her underwear. Delgado then moved her underwear to the side and continued to rub her vagina according to the Department of Health. Delgado tried to remove the client's underwear at which time she told him not to do so. The Order then says he replied, "it is just a massage." Delgado continued to massage client's thigh and twirled her pubic hair. The client reported the alleged assault to the Hollywood Police Department on the date it occurred.
When clients schedule a massage, it is to decompress from the stresses of life. They trust that the massage therapists employed at the spa are carefully vetted and safe to engage with the public. It is unacceptable, immoral and unlawful for any employee to touch a client in a sexual manner. 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 those circumstances, massage therapists must possess good judgment and good moral character in order to safely practice massage therapy.
Horowitz Law has filed numerous sexual assault lawsuits against massage therapists on behalf of clients who were inappropriately touched at Massage Envy franchises and other spas and resorts. 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 send an e-mail to sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz for massage clients at [email protected] for a free consultation.