West Goshen Massage Envy Therapist Sentenced to Prison After Sexual Assaults

WEST CHESTER, Pa. - June 13, 2016 - PRLog -- James R. Deiter, 64, pleaded guilty to charges involving the sexual molestation of nine women between the fall of 2014 and spring of 2015, while working as a massage therapist at the Massage Envy spa in West Goshen, PA. He was sentenced to 6.5-13 years in state prison for three counts of felony aggravated indecent assault and six counts of indecent assault, and Deiter will have to register as a sex offender for life and serve three years of state supervised probation.

"Today's guilty plea by Mr. Deiter is an important first step in seeking justice for the victims of Massage Envy," crime victim attorney Thomas Bellwoar of Luongo Bellwoar LLP said. "Equally important now is shining a spotlight on how Massage Envy allowed these repeated sexual assaults to occur under its supervision."

Deiter was arrested in May 2015, after a client filed a report of sexual abuse against him. This arrest eventually led to the discovery of eight other victims as well as evidence that Massage Envy was aware of his behavior but continued to employ Deiter.

A lawsuit has been filed against the national franchisor, Massage Envy Inc., as well as the West Goshen spa location. Luongo Bellwoar LLP along with Laffey, Bucci & Kent LLP represent eight of the victims.

"It shocks the conscience that Massage Envy was aware that their employee was a sexual predator and didn't lift a finger to stop him," Bellwoar said.

The suit states that Massage Envy employees were instructed not to contact police after one of the victims reported Deiter to the spa, but instead to handle the issue "in-house." Deiter was suspended for one week then allowed to come back to work without any restrictions to female clients.

"He knew how to instill trust," victim Jane Doe, as she is known in the lawsuit, said at the sentencing hearing on May 26, 2016, telling the judge that she felt "sad and ashamed" after being "tricked" by her massage therapist. She also stated that she has no hope for a full recovery and considers Massage Envy Deiter's "partner in crime."

Luongo Bellwoar LLP encourages any victims of sexual assault by massage therapists throughout the country to report the crimes to law enforcement and contact a lawyer immediately.

About LUONGO BELLWOAR LLP

LUONGO BELLWOAR LLP is a Chester County, PA law firm that represents the rights of crime victims in the civil justice system. Attorneys Stanley E. Luongo, Jr. and Thomas B. Bellwoar have over 45 years of combined experience in the practice of law. The law firm is located in downtown West Chester, PA.

Resources:

http://www.dailylocal.com/general-news/20160526/massage-t...

http://crimevictimspa.com/west-goshen-massage-envy-therap...