BELTON, Texas — A Belton business owner who was recently charged with indecent assault was previously arrested for sexual assault and indecent assault over two separate incidents, according to two 2022 arrest affidavits obtained by 6 News on Wednesday.
DeMarr Lowe Thomas, owner of The Retreat Therapeutic Massage in Belton, was arrested for indecent assault on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 for an incident that allegedly happened while he was giving a client a massage at the business, according to the Belton Police Department.
Police did not release details about this incident.
The arrest affidavits from 2022, however, show that Thomas was previously arrested for indecent assault and sexual assault following separate incidents on May 7, 2022 and Aug. 8, 2022.
The May 7, 2022 affidavit states Thomas was arrested for misdemeanor indecent assault after allegedly massaging a victim in private areas after she had signed paperwork stating she did not want to be massaged in those areas.
Per the Aug. 8, 2022 affidavit, the other victim reportedly told police that she had booked a 90-minute massage from the business, and that Thomas was the masseuse. The victim said she had four or five previous massages from Thomas with no incidents, according to the affidavit.
The victim claimed Thomas had touched her inappropriately during the massage, per the affidavit. When she left the business, the victim reportedly took Thomas' business card to have his full name to report him.
The signing officer on the warrant stated they contacted Thomas, who said he did massage the victim at that time and date, but he denied the allegations of assault.
Thomas made bond on these charges and was released from police custody, according to police.
The second victim reportedly came forward after the first incident was reported, police said.
Belton Police said the recent 2024 arrest came after a third victim came forward with accusations, separate from the 2022 cases. The detective on the case said there is a possibility there could be more victims.
"It's unknown until other victims come forward, however, we want to stress that the Belton Police Department is the voice for victims," said Det. Joshua Tulloch. "We will do everything to prosecute any case to its fullest during the investigation. With this hitting the media and maybe with some media assistance, if there are other victims that want to come forward, maybe this will help."
If there are more victims, or anyone with information, they are asked to contact the Belton Police Department at 254-933-5840.
Tulloch also recommends consumers do their research into massage therapy establishments and massage therapists. 6 News has more details about how you can do that here. The detective also wants consumers to know they have the right to walk away from the session if they don't feel comfortable.
"During these specific cases, they're at their most vulnerable moment to where they're in a locked room and there's nowhere to go, so they need to be willing and able to stand up for themselves and to say 'no,'" Tulloch added. "If no is not enough, stand up and leave. There's always the right to get up and leave at any point in these type of situations."
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