Massage Therapist Arrested for Molesting a Polk County 14-Year-Old Girl

A Haines City licensed massage therapist was arrested and charged with four counts of Committing Lewd and Lascivious Acts Upon a Child less than 16 years of Age. He was allegedly treating the girl for a skin condition.

The 65-year-old man was arrested after the girl’s mother filed a complaint with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. According to police reports, the man supposedly blindfolded the girl and performed lewd and lascivious acts on the girl because he said it would treat her skin condition.

During a search of the business where the man works, condoms and sex toys were found by police.

The man is being held at the Polk County jail.

Florida law enforcement officers can move forward with an arrest for lewd and lascivious acts involving a minor before any physical evidence is found to back up the allegations. Proving the actual offense occurred can be difficult for prosecutors, so often the mere accusation can be sufficient evidence for an arrest. Over the past few years, child molestation cases in Florida have boomed and the media is often relentless in their reports related to child sex crimes which can make matters worse.

If you have been falsely accused of child molestation or any other type of sex crime against a child or are being investigated or formally charged, it is imperative that you obtain a legally competent defense attorney to handle your case. If police have contacted you for an interview, it is in your best interest to speak to your attorney first and have them present for any questioning. Oftentimes persuasive efforts are used by police to push you into speaking to them and anything you say will be used against you. Don’t rely on yourself or family members for advice and protection. A skilled attorney can make sure you are treated fairly and not cornered into making false statements. Law enforcement agents are trained to interview and are very good at it. It is a good fact to know that if you have been brought in for an interview and are not under arrest, you can leave.

If you have been accused of a sex crime involving a minor anywhere in the state of Florida, contact the Florida Sex Crimes Defense Lawyers online or call our Tampa office at 813-221-3200 or statewide toll-free at 866-608-5529.