On June 24, 2025, massage therapist Darren Kitchel of Pinellas County, Florida, had his license to practice massage therapy revoked by the Florida Department of Health following his arrest on sexual battery charges. Previously, an Order of Emergency Restriction was issued after an Administrative Complaint was filed by the Department of Health against Kitchel for an alleged sexual assault on a client while he working at Deep Kneads Clinical Therapy located at 3510 1st Ave N #225, St. Petersburg, FL. According to public records, Kitchel was an owner/director of Deep Kneads. Kitchel was arrested on sexual battery charges in March 2024 with a bond set at $15,000. In June 2025, Kitchel pled guilty and avoided a criminal trial. Kitchel had been a licensed massage therapist in Florida since 2020.
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 safely practice massage therapy. Kitchel reportedly abused his position as a massage therapist to sexually violate a patient. He is accused of abusing his power and lacking 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.
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.