HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- Receiving a massage from a licensed massage therapist is supposed to be a relaxing experience. But a woman now claims a Henrico massage therapist committed a crime and violated her during a recent massage session. Daeshawn Bullard, 24, was arrested and charged with forcible object sexual penetration after the woman told police what happened to her at Massage Envy in Willow Lawn last month.
Daeshawn Bullard
"I just don't understand why people feel the need to force themselves on somebody else," Willow Lawn shopper Chante Evans said in reaction to the arrest. "If it's not warranted you learn no means no at a young age."
In a statement issued following Bullard's arrest, a Massage Envy spokesperson said the company took the allegations "very seriously."
"We strictly enforce our Code of Conduct and Zero Tolerance Policy and impose serious consequences for those who violate them to ensure our guests have a safe and professional experience when they visit our franchises. The therapist at issue is no longer employed by the franchisee," the statement read. "Massage Envy requires pre-employment background checks by Universal Background Screening, one of a select few background screening companies accredited by the National Association of Professional Background Screeners. Franchisees must complete a thorough reference and background check and validate each massage therapist’s license or certification based on their local or state requirements. We also require four mandatory training courses each year, along with a practical evaluation prior to hire."
Bullard, who was being held in Henrico jail without bond, was given a court appointed attorney. He has a hearing date scheduled for November 24.
