Roseville massage therapist charged for inappropriately touching client

Photo Courtesy: Ramsey County Jail

A 59-year-old massage therapist has been charged with third degree criminal sexual conduct after allegedly touching a woman inappropriately during a massage session.

According to the criminal complaint, the woman had been seeing Gary Lee Sarppo of New Brighton as her massage therapist for two years at Massage Rejuvenation in Roseville, Minn. 

She told police that during a massage session on September 23, Sarppo was working on her hip area when he asked her to turn over face up. After asking her if she wanted to continue, Sarppo then moved his hand to her inner thigh and put his fingers in her vagina for about 30 seconds. The victim says he was very aggressive and it was painful.

When she partially sat up, he asked if she wanted him to stop, she nodded and covered herself with the sheet. Sarppo then continued with the massage as if nothing happened, but later whispered in her ear, "What happens in this room, stays in this room." When he completed the massage, he told her he would "apply the gift certificate" to the session even though she did not have one.

The woman told police she was afraid of Sarppo as he is bigger than her and muscular. After getting dressed, the woman confronted Sarppo in the lobby about touching her to which he told her, "This was not premeditated and it has not happened before." He also told her how he was stressed about a lot of things going on in his life.

In an interview with police, he admitted to touching the victim's vagina, but denied penetrating her. He said there was "possibility that there was misconduct, no a misunderstanding."

Sarppo faces up to 15 years behind bars and a $30,000 fine.