Massage Therapist Gets Max 10 Years For Attempted Sexual Assault During Massage
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McKINNEY (CBSDFW.COM) - Ali Alavian, 65, of Garland, was sentenced to 10 years for Attempted Sexual Assault in Dallas, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.
"This man violated four different women on his massage table, which should have been a place of safety, rest, and rejuvenation. Instead, this predator turned his massage table into his own personal playground," Willis said.
Evidence showed that in January 2014, the victim booked a massage with a company in the Collin County portion of Dallas. The victim had one previous massage at that company, with Alavian, in December 2013. Since that experience was professional in nature, the victim rebooked with Alavian on Jan. 3, 2014, when her experience was completely different.
Towards the end of the massage, Alavian had the victim turn over onto her back, and allowed the sheet to expose her body. At this point, Alavian's conduct escalated. He groped, molested, and attempted to sexually assault the victim. The victim testified that she was afraid Alavian would become violent if she screamed or fought back. Before the victim left, Alavian tried to kiss her, and gave her his personal number so she could arrange private sessions with him off the books.
The victim reported her traumatic experience to the Dallas Police Department.
Detective Christine Weisskopf's investigation uncovered similar complaints by other women about Alavian's conduct during massage sessions. The jury convicted Alavian of Attempted Sexual Assault.
During the punishment phase, three other women testified about the inappropriate massages given by Alavian.
In each case, he would see how much he could get away with sexually before they complained or reacted. They all indicated they did not react initially because they were frozen in shock and disbelief that Alavian made the sexual advances. He would then guilt them by making them feel like it was their fault and that they, not he, were the ones responsible for his actions.
During a police interview, Alavian indicated that he believed that the women he massaged would become aroused by his touch, and that his massage room was similar to Vegas -- in that what happened in there stayed in there.
Evidence during punishment also showed that despite these women alerting the massage businesses, Alavian managed to maintain employment as a massage therapist, finding work at three separate massage therapy businesses.
The jury assessed punishment at the maximum of 10 years in prison.
The Collin County District Attorney's Office immediately notified the Texas Department of State Health Services, which regulates massage licenses, of Alavian's conviction.
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