KILLEEN, Texas — The owner of a massage parlor in Belton is facing another indecent assault charge after a fourth victim came forward alleging he inappropriately touched them during a recent massage appointment, according to a spokesperson with the Belton Police Department (BPD).
DeMarr Lowe Thomas, who owns The Retreat Therapeutic Massage at 2150 N. Main St. in Belton, turned himself in to police a little after 3 a.m. on Tuesday, July 16 regarding this new allegation of indecent assault. A spokesperson with the Killeen Police Department said Thomas was arraigned and bonded out of jail.
Thomas is already facing two other allegations of indecent assault and one allegation of sexual assault from three other victims who came forward; two who came forward in 2022 and another in 2024, according to arrest warrants obtained by 6 News.
On the same day of Thomas' arrest for the fourth charge, 6 News obtained the arrest warrant involving the third victim. According to the warrant, Thomas reportedly told the third victim to turn over on her back, then he touched her inappropriately without her consent on June 20, 2024.
Those who have information or have had a similar experience are advised to contact the BPD at 254-933-5840.
In a July 3 interview, Detective Joshua Tulloch with BPD recommended consumers do their own research into massage therapy establishments and massage therapists. 6 News has more details about how you can do that here. Tulloch also noted that consumers have the right to walk away from the session if they don't feel comfortable.
The Texas Department of License and Regulation (TDLR), the state agency that regulates the massage therapy program in Texas, has been trying to revoke the licenses of Thomas since 2022. However, while cases are pending in the court system -- licenses cannot be revoked.
The TDLR did file a cease-and-desist order on Thomas to prevent him from doing the exact conduct that he is accused of doing on the prior cases - engaging in sexual contact during massage therapy sessions with clients. The TDLR did tell 6 News that they will now be filing additional cases against Thomas after new allegations from a June 2024 incident state he violated the cease-and-desist order.
Consumers seeking a massage are urged to check the TDLR website before their session to confirm that the establishment and massage therapist are licensed. They are also urged to check the administrative orders database for any disciplinary actions taken against them in the past two years.
Anyone who believes they were sexually assaulted during a massage therapy session should immediately report it to law enforcement and also file a complaint with the TDLR. You can file a complaint here.
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