On March 5, 2026, the Florida Department of Health, Board of Massage Therapy, issued an Emergency Suspension Order against the license of massage therapist Zachary Motes in Jacksonville, Florida. The Order was issued after an allegation of sexual misconduct during a massage session while Motes was working at Integrative Healthcare Solutions in Jacksonville Beach.
The Department of Health shows Motes obtained his Florida massage therapist license in September 2018. According to media reports, Motes previously worked at The Fiix in Five Points.
According to the Emergency Order, on or about January 13, 2025, a woman presented to Integrative Healthcare Solutions for a massage appointment. The client had previously received regular massages from another therapist at the clinic, but that therapist was unavailable that day, so she was assigned to Motes.
In preparation for the massage, the client completely disrobed, lay face down on the massage table, and covered the lower half of her body with a draping sheet. About twenty minutes into the session, she felt that Motes was standing unusually close to her while she remained on the table. The woman felt Motes’ left hand massaging her neck, but could not feel what his other hand was doing. When the patient turned her head to look at him, she reportedly saw Motes holding his erect penis and masturbating next to her during the massage session.
The client demanded to know what Motes was doing. According to the Order, Motes quickly moved away and attempted to hide his penis beneath the massage table. The patient then yelled at him and demanded he leave the room. Motes remained in the room briefly while attempting to conceal his erection before eventually leaving.
After Motes exited the room, the patient reported the incident to clinic staff and later filed a police report with the Jacksonville Police Department.
Allegations Against Zachary Motes
According to the Florida Department of Health’s Emergency Order, Motes allegedly engaged in sexual misconduct during the massage session, including:
- masturbating during a massage session with a patient present
- exposing his erect penis to the patient during the course of treatment
- using the massage therapist-patient relationship to engage in sexual activity outside the accepted scope of massage therapy practice
The Department concluded that these actions constituted a violation of Florida laws governing massage therapy and sexual misconduct in the therapist-client relationship.
Emergency Suspension of License
The Department of Health determined that Zachary Motes willfully abused his position as a massage therapist to sexually violate a patient who trusted him to act professionally and within the boundaries of accepted massage therapy practice.
State regulators found that Motes’ conduct demonstrated a lack of good judgment and moral character necessary to safely practice massage therapy, and that his continued practice presents an immediate and serious danger to the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
As a result, the Department issued an immediate suspension of Motes’ license pending further disciplinary proceedings.
Massage Therapists Occupy Positions of Trust
When clients schedule a massage, they do so to relax and relieve stress. They trust that licensed massage therapists are properly vetted and will act professionally, with integrity, and with respect for boundaries.
Under Florida law, massage therapists occupy positions of trust, and any sexual contact with a client is strictly prohibited. A therapist may not use the therapist-client relationship to induce or attempt to induce a client to engage in sexual activity outside the accepted scope of practice or standards of treatment.
It is unlawful, unethical, and a violation of professional duty for any massage therapist to touch a client sexually. Because massage therapy occurs in private settings where clients are especially vulnerable, practitioners are expected to exercise sound judgment and uphold the highest standards of moral character.
Horowitz Law Is Here to Help
Horowitz Law has filed numerous sexual assault lawsuits against massage therapists for clients who were inappropriately touched at various massage salons and spas. If you have been a victim of sexual assault or sexual battery by Zachary Motes or any other therapist 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.