Cotati Massage Therapist Convicted Of Sexual Battery

SANTA ROSA - A 70-year-old Rohnert Park masseur was convicted Tuesday of misdemeanor sexual battery and practicing massage therapy without a valid state certificate.

According to information provided by the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office, William Dresbach, III, would massage the private parts of women during appointments, telling them to "relax" if they became uncomfortable.

Authorities say the case began when a victim reported she received a massage from Dresbach at Massage Inc. in Cotati, where he "massaged her entire buttocks and breasts and she reported defendant became aroused during the massage."

Investigators say three other Sonoma County women came forward and testified that they were massaged by Dresbach in the same manner.

The DA's office says each of the women stated Dresbach never explained he would be massaging them in their private areas.

However, investigators say, when victims would tense up or move their body away from the intimate massage, Dresbach would "tell them to relax" and continue with the massage.

William Dresbach, III, will be sentenced on April 19, 2016.

While awaiting sentencing, Dresbach has been ordered to cease all massage therapy as a condition of release on bail, according to the District Attorney.

He will face mandatory registration as a sex offender at his sentencing.

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