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Goodyear massage therapist pleads guilty to sexual assault and sexual abuse

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GOODYEAR, AZ – A massage therapist has agreed to plead guilty to charges against four of his victims and serve a seven-year prison sentence.

According to court documents, Christopher Esteen pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault, one count of attempted sexual assault and two counts of sexual abuse. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to drop seven other charges.

In addition to his prison sentence, he must agree to a lifetime of supervised probation, according to a copy of his agreement obtained by ABC15.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Michael Blair reviewed the terms of Esteen’s agreement at a hearing earlier this month.

“You also have to register as a sex offender, do you understand that?” he asked.

“Yes, sir,” Esteen replied.

Esteen worked at BackFit Health and Spine in Goodyear before his arrest in December 2022.

The company told ABC15 in an earlier statement:

“We cannot comment on ongoing litigation. What we can tell you is that we fired him prior to his arrest and condemn any inappropriate behavior toward our patients. We have fully cooperated with law enforcement in their investigation.”

The company told ABC15 this week that it had no further comment beyond the statement.

Esteen’s official sentencing is scheduled for June 7.

He is one of two massage therapists in Arizona facing multiple charges. Therapist Raul Perez Ochoa was charged with sexual assault and sexual abuse last year. Prosecutors believe there were four victims at spas in Queen Creek and Gilbert.

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He has pleaded not guilty. His next court date is scheduled for June 28.

Both Ochoa and Esteen still hold their massage licenses. However, since their arrests, they have been in jail and not working. The Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy is waiting until their criminal cases are resolved to decide whether to revoke their licenses.

According to police reports, Ochoa worked at El Bella Day Spa in Gilbert and Hand & Stone Day Spa in Queen Creek.

A woman who identified herself as the manager of El Bella Day Spa declined to comment to ABC15.

Hand & Stone previously issued the following statement to ABC15:

“In October 2022, six months prior to his arrest, the massage therapist’s employment with Hand & Stone Massage & Facial Spa ended. The defendant is not permitted to return to the spa. Hand & Stone will continue to cooperate with authorities in their investigation. Queen Creek Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa is an independently owned and operated franchise location.

Hand & Stone has a zero-tolerance policy for inappropriate behavior at all locations. Franchisees adhere to a strict spa safety program that prioritizes the safety of their guests and service providers. All franchise locations are trained in rigorous hiring and screening tools, therapist training, and prevention, reporting and investigation policies.

In addition, all Hand & Stone guests are given a customer rights statement upon entering the spa and are informed by the massage therapist that there is an attention button under the table should they or the massage therapist feel uncomfortable. Ultimately, Hand & Stone is uncompromisingly committed to creating and maintaining a safe and respectful environment for its guests and service providers.”

The company told ABC15 this week that it had no further comment beyond the statement.

Email ABC15 Investigator Anne Ryman at: [email protected]call them at 602-685-6345 or connect on X, formerly known as Twitter, and Facebook.

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