Massage therapist accused of sexually assaulting client

Ottawa County

Ottawa County sheriff's deputies have arrested a Holland Township massage therapist for alleged sex assault of client. (MLive File Photo)

OTTAWA COUNTY, MI – A massage therapist is accused of sexually assaulting a client at a Holland Township massage parlor.

Matthew Edward Owens, 47, of Park Township, is charged with third-degree criminal-sexual conduct, a 15-year felony.

He was arraigned Thursday, Feb. 18, in Holland District Court. He has posted a $25,000 bond.

The incident allegedly occurred Monday afternoon.

A 46-year-old Holland Township woman told police that “she was assaulted by the therapist in a sexual manner,” Ottawa County sheriff’s Capt. Mark Bennett said in a statement.

Police interviewed Owens on Wednesday evening before he was arrested.

Owens, a licensed massage therapist, was working at Ideal Bodyworks Massage Therapy on East 16th Street when the incident allegedly occurred, police said.

Christina Raffenaud, owner of Ideal Bodyworks, said in a statement that “we are working with law enforcement 100% on this matter. We as a facility are shocked by this and in no way do any of the other independent contractor massage therapists here (have) knowledge of this. We are saddened by this and he is in no way associated with our facility anymore.”

Owens had many positive online reviews for his work.

He started at Ideal Bodyworks in August 2018.

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