Massage Therapist Convicted of Sexually Assaulting Clients

DATE: August 20, 2018

CASE: Thomas Self (Case #16FE010737)

PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Tate Davis, Adult Sexual Assault Prosecution Unit

Thomas Self was convicted by a jury of multiple felony and misdemeanor counts of sexually assaulting three women at his massage therapist business.

Self is a well-known massage therapist who had businesses in Orangeville and Folsom.  He specialized in massaging runners and other athletes throughout the Sacramento and Placer region.  On August 5, 2015, a female victim received a sports massage from Self.  He told the victim he “referred pain,” meaning he would work on one area of the body to alleviate symptoms in another area of the body.  During the massage, Self then sexually assaulted her with his fingers.  On March 12, 2016, a second victim had a sports massage from Self.  During the massage, Self sexually assaulted her with his finger.  On August 2, 2016, a third victim had an externship with Self through her school and was in training to become a massage therapist. During the training, Self demonstrated massage techniques on her body, touched the victim under her underwear and made sexually suggestive comments.  For extended periods of the training, Self was nude.

Self faces a maximum sentence of 11 years and 4 months in prison.  Sentencing is set for September 28, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. in Department 24 before the Honorable Shelleyanne Chang.

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