Falls massage therapist jailed for groping clients - The Intelligencer

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A former massage therapist who worked in Falls Township will serve at least a few months in Bucks County's prison for groping two of his customers last year.


David Elijah Ward, 37, of Burbank, California, was sentenced Monday in Bucks County Court to four to 23 months in county lockup on indecent assault charges, according to court records.


Jurors in April found Ward guilty of groping two women last summer at Hand & Stone Spa. The pair of assaults occurred during two July 2016 appointments separated by eight days immediately prior to Ward's planned move across the country.


Police later arrested Ward in California where he spent just more than a month in jail before he was brought to Bucks County and later posted bail. The man was found guilty at trial of two misdemeanor counts of indecent assault and acquitted of a felony aggravated indecent assault charge.


"I am incredibly impressed by both of these women for coming forward. They booked their massage trusting the masseuse would be professional, but instead they were completely violated," said Deputy District Attorney Kristin McElroy.


The prosecutor added she was glad to see both a jury and judge hold Ward accountable for what happened in the massage room.


Reached for comment, Ward's attorney Louis Busico looked toward his client's future.


"Mr. Ward was found not guilty of the most serious charge. He is not a convicted felon, and in a few months his life will move on," Busico said.


President Judge Jeffrey L. Finley credited the man for the time he served in California.

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