Former Charlotte massage therapist found guilty of sexually assaulting woman - WBTV

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - A former massage therapist has been found guilty of sex offenses after he sexually assaulted a woman in south Charlotte in 2021.

The Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office said 39-year-old Eugene Gatling committed the assault on Jan. 13, 2021 when a woman fell asleep on a massage table.

Court officials said Gatling assaulted another woman at a different Charlotte location less than seven months earlier.

A complaint filed by the victim against Gatling and the massage company revealed that the assault happened at Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa on Sharon Road.

The complaint stated that Gatling sexually assaulted the woman during the massage and that he had previously been fired from at least one massage business “as a result of sexually assaultive and sexually inappropriate behavior with a guest.”

Furthermore, the complaint stated that Gatling’s license to perform massage and bodywork therapy expired on Dec. 31, 2020, which was two weeks before the assault happened.

A jury found him guilty of both second-degree forcible sex offense and sexual battery. The jury also determined that he abused his position of trust and confidence when he assaulted the woman.

Gatling has not yet been sentenced.

Following the guilty verdict, the victim is suing Gatling and the massage company for damages greater than $25,000.

Related: Six women arrested as unlicensed massage therapists in Matthews

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