Masseur arrested for alleged sexual battery

WESTON, Fla. (WSVN) -- A South Florida masseur has been accused of a despicable act against a trusting client.

Dayron Escobar, 24, a former employee on Red Door Lifestyle Spa at the Hyatt Regency in Weston, has been accused of sexual battery on a woman who went to him for a massage. He has since been fired from the spa, which is attached to the Hyatt but not owned by the hotel.

Escobar appeared before a judge, Tuesday. He received $7500 bond, which he covered, although he remains behind bars at the Broward Sheriff's Office jail due to an immigration issue.

According to police, the victim, a 49-year-old woman visiting the area from Virginia, went to the spa last Friday for a treatment designed to relieve stress. As Escobar massaged her, police said, he asked her if she wanted him to stop. "The masseur asked the client if she wanted him to stop massaging. Obviously she said 'no,' that is the reason why she was there, so moments later he just began to touch her inappropriately," said BSO spokesperson Keyla Concepcion.

The woman jumped off the table. "She noticed that his zipper was down, and his genital area exposed," Concepcion said.

He apologized to her and said that he thought that was what she had wanted, according to the police report. She said it was not and immediately reported him to the management, but Escobar had fled. Police and been trying to track him down since, and he was finally arrested Monday.

Police said there have never been any complaints against Escobar, but that does not mean he has not taken advantage of anyone else in the past. "Escobar, he has no criminal history, and according to the spa management, he has no prior complaints at the spa," said Concepcion.

His sister defended him outside the courtroom. "He's not the type of person," she said. "He's a good person. He's never been in trouble, and we think that he's going to be all right."

Concepcion went on to say, despite his clean record, the possibility exists that he may have committed similar acts in the past. "We still want to put the word out there if anybody does feel they have been victimized by him but were just too embarrassed to come forward and say anything," the BSO spokesperson said. "We do want them to feel comfortable enough to come forward, talk to our detectives. We know he's done this once; it could be possible that he may have done this in the past."

If you think you may have been victimized by this masseur, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

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