On March 3, 2022, Ft. Lauderdale massage therapist, Jesse Crocker, had his license revoked following a disciplinary action brought by the Florida Department of Health Board of Massage Therapy alleging sexual misconduct at Hand & Stone Massage & Facial Spa in Davie, Florida. Crocker had been a licensed massage therapist in Florida since September 2016.
A Final Order of discipline was entered following an allegation made against Jesse Crocker when he was working at Hand & Stone Massage & Facial Spa in Davie. An administrative complaint was filed in August 2021 after Crocker performed a 60-minute massage on a 25-year old female client. During the massage, Crocker allegedly exposed the client’s breasts, removed her facial mask to kiss her, and placed the client’s hand on his exposed erect penis. Crocker then allegedly reached under the sheet and placed his hand onto and massaged the client’s vaginal area. Afterward, Jesse Crocker reportedly stated, “I’m so sorry, I couldn’t control myself” and attributed his misconduct to “another form of stress relief.” The client reported the incident to Hand & Stone that same day and canceled her membership. Hand & Stone conducted an internal investigation and terminated Jesse Crocker’s employment.
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) issued an Emergency Order restricting Crocker’s massage therapy license on August 2, 2021, on account of this complaint. Crocker never replied and the Board of Massage Therapy did find the allegations were credible. Subsequently, Crocker’s license has been revoked, and he has to pay a $2,500 fine. He also must pay the investigation fee of $1143.
There are numerous pending civil lawsuits involving sexual misconduct against Hand & Stone franchises in the State of Florida. Under Florida law, massage therapists occupy positions of trust, and all sexual activity between the massage therapist and clients is strictly prohibited.
Crocker violated the massage therapist-patient relationship according to his own admission to law enforcement. A massage therapist may not use his relationship with a client to induce or attempt to induce the patient to engage or to engage or attempt to engage the patient in sexual activity outside the scope of practice or the scope of generally accepted examination or treatment of the patient.
Horowitz Law has filed numerous sexual assault lawsuits against massage therapists on behalf of clients who were sexually assaulted during massages at Hand and Stone and other spas and resorts. If you have been a victim of sexual assault or sexual battery during a massage, or if you know someone who has, please contact our law firm at 888-283-9922 or send an e-mail to sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz at [email protected] for a free consultation.