Former massage therapist found guilty on charges of assaulting client - 13newsnow.com WVEC

[Tracy Cooper]

The client fell asleep during the massage and had to push his hand away when she woke up.



VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A Virginia Beach man on Tuesday was found guilty after a two-day trial on charges of aggravated sexual battery and related charges.


Bowen Lee Lajesse, 47, of the 2900 block of Mars Street, Virginia Beach, was found guilty on object sexual penetration, aggravated sexual battery – incapacity, and battery as treatment not recognized in profession.


Lajesse was accused in an incident from Jan. 29, 2023. According to a press release from the office of Commonwealth’s Attorney Colin D. Stolle, Lajesse was self-employed as a massage therapist at Seaboard Wellness Massage operating out of the Fuller School of Massage. A woman booked a massage there and had been there before, but had not previously had a massage from Lajesse.


“During the massage, the victim fell asleep, and Lajesse sexually assaulted her,” the press release stated. When she awoke, she pushed his hand away from her and sat up on the table. The then left, paid her bill at the front desk, hurried to her car, and called her best friend within 16 seconds of leaving the front desk, the press release stated.


The woman also called her mother immediately and went to her mother’s home. The victim then told her husband returned to the location with her husband to confront Lajesse.


“Lajesse admitted that he touched the victim inappropriately, but claimed there must have been a misunderstanding,” the press release stated.


He was immediately terminated by the Fuller School, and a police investigation ensued.


During the trial, an expert testified about massage therapy, the ethics of massage therapy, and recognized forms of massage. “She also testified about the power differential that exists between a massage therapist and a client, making clients increasingly vulnerable,” the press release stated.


Lajesse will be sentenced on Jan. 23.