Massage Therapist Arrested On Suspicion Of Sexually Assaulting Client
THOUSAND OAKS (CBSLA.com) — Deputies Thursday announced the arrest of 67-year-old massage therapist accused of sexually assaulting a client.
On Saturday, a 25-year-old woman went to Massage Envy in the 3800 block of East Thousand Oaks Boulevard for a massage.
The Ventura County Sheriff's Department said Gary Sperling of Woodland Hills sexually assaulted the woman during the massage.
On Wednesday, Sperling was arrested on one count of sodomy of an incompetent person, and one count of lewd act on a dependent adult.
Detectives learned he worked as a massage therapist at several Massage Envy locations for nine years.
The chain says they have never had a complaint about Sperling.
They made the following statement, "Each franchisee is required to conduct criminal background and reference checks prior to hiring and are instructed that all licensed massage therapists must complete training prior to employment, which specifically covers our Zero Tolerance Policy on inappropriate conduct."
Sperling is being held on $100,000 bail in Ventura.
At this time, detectives are not aware of any additional victims.
KCAL9's Brittney Hopper on Thursday knocked on Sperling's door but no one answered.
His next door neighbor told her that Sperling and his wife recently moved to the Woodland Hills neighborhood and have always been nice.
"I'm shocked because he doesn't seem to be one of those types. He's an old guy and he doesn't seem like the type to do something like this," the neighbor said.
Anyone with information regarding Sperling is urged to contact the Ventura County Sheriff's Office at (805) 371-8397.
