A massage therapist has been found guilty by a Mecklenburg County jury for sexually assaulting women while he worked as a massage parlor employee.
A 39-year-old ex-massage therapist has been convicted of sexually assaulting a woman in 2021. The culprit, Eugene Gatling, allegedly attacked the woman while she was asleep on a massage table on January 13, 2021.
Sexual assault at Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa.Â
The victim reported the incident to the police, filing a complaint against Gatling and the Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa on Sharon Road, where the assault occurred. In the complaint, the victim revealed that Gatling had sexually assaulted her during the massage and had previously been fired from another massage business due to inappropriate and assaultive behavior towards a guest.
The complaint also disclosed that Gatling’s massage and bodywork license had expired on December 31, 2020, just two weeks before the assault. A jury found Gatling guilty of second-degree forcible sex offense and sexual battery.
Gatling’s sentencing is pending, and the victim has announced plans to sue Gatling and the massage company for over $25,000.
