On May 12, 2023, the Florida Department of Health issued an Emergency Order restricting of David Mendez's license to work as a massage therapist following disturbing allegations that he sexually assaulted a 65-year-old female client. David Mendez has been a licensed massage therapist in Florida since 2012. David Mendez is now prohibited from massaging female clients as a result of this Order.
UPDATE: David Mendez surrendered his massage therapy license effective May 24, 2024. The Board of Massage Therapy accepted the surrender of his license as discipline and resolution of the pending administrative case against seeking to remove his license.
The alleged sexual misconduct is reported to have occurred while David Mendez was working as a massage therapist at Essentials Massage and Facials of Summerfield, located at 17820 SE 109th Ave, Summerfield, FL 3449. Mendez is also on staff at Be Well Holistic Massage Wellness Center in Ocala, FL.
According to the Florida Department of Health, on March 10, 2023, David Mendez was assigned to massage a 65-year-old woman. During the massage, Mr. Mendez allegedly slid his hands under the sheet draping and placed them directly on the patient's inner thigh. Mendez then allegedly moved his fingers up her thigh and onto her vulva. The patient reported that Mendez then put his fingers between the patient's labia and stroked up and down, attempting to stimulate her. He then said to the patient, "You're the boss," and "Everything is ok." He then asked her if it felt good. The patient responded that it didn't, and she was there for a back massage. Mendez then reportedly told the client that she was a tease, which left her in shock. Mendez did not stop; he continued to rub her labia for about 2 minutes to try to stimulate her. The patient was scared and afraid of his large stature. Mendez returned to the traditional massage for another ten minutes or so.
When the patient returned home, she immediately called Essentials to report what had just happened and that Mendez violated her inappropriately during her massage. This was the woman's fourth appointment. Her prior appointments reportedly resulted in odd behavior as well, including Mendez placing his groin against her hand and grazing the side of her breasts during a pectoral massage that she ignored, thinking it was because he was a skilled therapist.
The stresses of life can easily overwhelm us. When patients book a massage, it is to decompress and relax. The massage therapist-patient relationship is founded on mutual trust. Clients trust that the massage therapists employed at a spa are carefully vetted and safe. Any violation of that trust requires swift action, as it is both unacceptable and unlawful for a massage therapist to touch a patient in a sexual manner. Mendez is alleged to have abused his position as a massage therapist, which would indicate he lacks good moral judgment and character to safely perform massage therapy on female patients.
Horowitz Law has filed numerous sexual misconduct claims against massage therapists on behalf of clients who were inappropriately touched at massage parlors 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 e-mail Adam Horowitz at adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com for a free consultation.