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OGDEN — An unlicensed masseuse accused of inappropriately touching at least five women has been arrested by Ogden police.
Hongwei “Allen” Yang, 46, was booked into the Weber County Jail on Sunday. He was charged Monday in 2nd District Court with five counts each of sexual battery and unlawful massage therapy, both class A misdemeanors.
Since July 19, five women have reported to police they were illegally touched by Yang at Better Massage Parlor, 3651 Wall Ave., according to Ogden police. Some of the women also reported that Yang watched them undress, police state.
On Sunday, Ogden police executed a search warrant on the business and seized computers, video equipment and business documents.
Investigators arrived after a woman called police from the Newgate Mall, where the business is located, to report she had just been assaulted, according to charging documents.
"Detectives also discovered Yang was not licensed or certified as a masseuse in Utah," Ogden Police Lt. Tim Scott said.
Yang told detectives he was the lone employee of the business and had been giving massages there for three months, the charges state.
"(Yang) said that he has never been to any type of certified massage school and has learned how to massage by on the job training at massage parlors in California," according to charging documents.
Yang told police that if he touched the women appropriately, it was an "accident," but prosecutors noted that the descriptions from all five women of what allegedly happened were very similar, the charges state. One woman reported that Yang removed her underwear without permission, according to the charges.
Investigators believe there are likely additional victims. Anyone who had a massage at Better Massage Parlor is asked to call detective Reed Mackley at 801-629-8497.
Contributing: Mike Anderson
