Second victim comes forward after Winter Park massage therapist arrested - WESH

[Greg Fox]

A second young man has filed a complaint with the Winter Park Police Department, alleging he was sexually assaulted by the owner of Romich Massage and Spa on Minnesota Avenue. Ronel Michael Gutierrez Galvis was arrested last week and charged with sexual battery, simple battery and violating Florida’s massage practice act. The Florida Department of health has also issued an emergency order of suspension, preventing Gutierrez from practice massage therapy until the state and police investigations are complete. A recorded phone message says the massage and spa business is not accepting new appointments and that gift cards will be honored at a future time. The man who filed the report Monday with police, told them, "(Gutierrez) touched me inappropriately, massaging my groin… and deliberately touched my (genitals). "I felt violated and abused physically and emotionally and wouldn't want anyone else to go through what I went through," according to a copy of the report obtained by WESH 2 Investigates. WESH 2 Investigates also talked exclusively with the 24-year-old man who first came forward. Identified only as “B.F.,” he told us, “As (the massage) escalated, I realized what was happening was completely wrong. It was a really horrible thing that happened.” He said he did not know Gutierrez prior to making an appointment last September. He says he was on the table to receive a legitimate massage, when he says he was sexually assaulted by Gutierrez, adding, “Around his groin area I mean he would even rub his groin against my hands, which quickly escalated to him taking off my underwear.” “B.F.” says when he was further violated, he grabbed his clothes and ran to his car, in shock, adding, “It was like a panic attack as I was driving away from the business.” Friday, Gutierrez had his first appearance on the charges and was granted bond. That bond could be revoked if he is charged in a second or more cases. He’s listed as a Venezuelan citizen on arrest reports, but his legal status in the U.S. is unknown. “It's a breach of trust,” said attorney Thomas Feiter of the Fighter Law Group. His firm represents both men who have come forward. He believes others will too, adding, “Mr. Gutierrez would go to the massage school to seek out people to come work with him and we believe he was looking for other young men to come work with him in an attempt to lure them into the same trap.” "B.F." tells WESH 2 investigates, he's glad he got away when he did, saying, “Right now I'm focused on healing and getting it through the courts. (Greg) And seeing in your mind, justice? (B.F.) "Yes." Messages to Gutierrez and his attorney were not returned. “B.F.” has a hearing this month on an injunction against Gutierrez. That matter will be handled by a Judge. Civil action from alleged victims could follow.

WINTER PARK, Fla. —

A second young man has filed a complaint with the Winter Park Police Department, alleging he was sexually assaulted by the owner of Romich Massage and Spa on Minnesota Avenue.

Ronel Michael Gutierrez Galvis was arrested last week and charged with sexual battery, simple battery and violating Florida’s massage practice act. The Florida Department of health has also issued an emergency order of suspension, preventing Gutierrez from practice massage therapy until the state and police investigations are complete.

A recorded phone message says the massage and spa business is not accepting new appointments and that gift cards will be honored at a future time.

The man who filed the report Monday with police, told them, "(Gutierrez) touched me inappropriately, massaging my groin… and deliberately touched my (genitals). "I felt violated and abused physically and emotionally and wouldn't want anyone else to go through what I went through," according to a copy of the report obtained by WESH 2 Investigates.

WESH 2 Investigates also talked exclusively with the 24-year-old man who first came forward. Identified only as “B.F.,” he told us, “As (the massage) escalated, I realized what was happening was completely wrong. It was a really horrible thing that happened.”

He said he did not know Gutierrez prior to making an appointment last September. He says he was on the table to receive a legitimate massage, when he says he was sexually assaulted by Gutierrez, adding, “Around his groin area I mean he would even rub his groin against my hands, which quickly escalated to him taking off my underwear.”

“B.F.” says when he was further violated, he grabbed his clothes and ran to his car, in shock, adding, “It was like a panic attack as I was driving away from the business.”
Friday, Gutierrez had his first appearance on the charges and was granted bond. That bond could be revoked if he is charged in a second or more cases. He’s listed as a Venezuelan citizen on arrest reports, but his legal status in the U.S. is unknown.

“It's a breach of trust,” said attorney Thomas Feiter of the Fighter Law Group. His firm represents both men who have come forward. He believes others will too, adding, “Mr. Gutierrez would go to the massage school to seek out people to come work with him and we believe he was looking for other young men to come work with him in an attempt to lure them into the same trap.”

"B.F." tells WESH 2 investigates, he's glad he got away when he did, saying, “Right now I'm focused on healing and getting it through the courts. (Greg) And seeing in your mind, justice? (B.F.) "Yes."

Messages to Gutierrez and his attorney were not returned.

“B.F.” has a hearing this month on an injunction against Gutierrez. That matter will be handled by a Judge. Civil action from alleged victims could follow.