EDEN, UTAH – September 2, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) – Detectives have arrested a Layton area massage therapist on sexual assault charges.
A statement from Weber County Sheriff’s Office said detectives received a complaint in June, 2015 that 45-year-old Richard Dwaileebe was inappropriately touching a female client. As the investigation unfolded, police say numerous other victims came forward to report that they had also been groped by Dwaileebe during various massage sessions.
According to the police’s probable cause statement: “Dwaileebe claimed he was trained to perform a massage technique called ‘Pelvic Floor Work,’ which involves massaging the anus and/or vagina of the subject. Pelvic Floor Work is reportedly a legitimate technique but it can only be performed by a licensed chiropractor, not a massage therapist.
“Dwaileebe traveled to the victims’ homes where he would conduct massage sessions which sometimes lasted several hours. In the course of the session, he would often times massage the victim’s breasts; another acceptable massage technique but only after written consent is given by the subject.
“It is believed that Dwaileebe manipulated the victims into thinking that he was able to help them. He even went as far to claim that he could diagnose cancer by determining if their lymphatic system was kinked.
“He would then perform some of these intrusive therapies under the guise of it being a medical treatment.”
This isn’t the first time Dwaileebe has been investigated for criminal conduct. In 2012, law enforcement agencies in Weber County say they received numerous complaints taht Dwaileebe inappropriately touched clients at a day spa in South Ogden City where he worked. Those cases were turned over to the Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing (DOPL) for investigation.
Dwaileebe has been booked into the Weber County Jail on two counts of second degree felony forcible sexual abuse, misdemeanor counts of unprofessional conduct and performing massage therapy without a license. He was also charged with a type A misdemeanor for performing medicine without a license.
The Sheriff’s Office has at least six victims who have come forward, but believe there could be others out there who were sexually assaulted by Dwaileebe.
Police are asking victims to contact their Investigations Bureau at 801-778-6631.
