Massage Therapist Accused Of Sexual Assault

PALO ALTO, CA — A massage therapist faces felony charges after a client told police she was sexually assaulted during an appointment in Palo Alto in November, according to police.

Investigators said a woman in her 20s called 911 on Nov. 10, alleging she was assaulted by a masseur at a Massage Envy on the 4000 block of El Camino Real. Police said the investigation found an assault took place, and detectives forwarded the case to the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office.

Prosecutors filed two felony counts, alleging sexual penetration and sexual battery, and a judge signed an arrest warrant on Jan. 18. Police identified the suspect Tuesday as Arturo Gomez, 42, of San Jose.

Officers found Gomez at a relative's home in San Jose and took him into custody without incident last Thursday, police said. He was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail. Detectives said they were not aware of additional victims but noted the suspect had previously worked at other massage businesses in the South Bay.

Anyone with information about the case can contact dispatch at 650-329-2413 or leave an anonymous tip at 650-383-8984.