Arrested Massage Therapist Claims He Was Targeted; Denies Claims

LOWER MORELAND, PA — A Huntingdon Valley massage studio owner is denying allegations that he sexually assaulted a patron at his business.

Christopher Sean Strain, 32, owner of Aches & Strains in Huntington Valley, spoke to 6 ABC Action News Tuesday, denying claims that he did anything inappropriate with a woman who came to him for a massage, and is now accusing him of assault.

“I absolutely did not do that,” Strain told the television station, which had approached him at his home in the Elkins Park section of Abington Township. “I feel like I was targeted and I hope to prove that in court … it’s a shocking allegation and I don’t want to be destroyed over it.”

Patch reported Tuesday on Strain’s July 22 arrest. He is being charged with aggravated indecent assault without consent, a second-degree felony, and indecent assault without consent of others, a first-degree misdemeanor.

Lower Moreland Police Chief David Scirrotto told Patch that when police received the complaint from the victim, detectives opened up an investigation and ended up forwarding their findings to the county district attorney, which approved the filing of charges against Strain.

Action News, citing the arrest affidavit, said the victim told police she had gone to Strain for a post-breast surgery lymphatic massage on June 3, and that Strain “started with the usual massage … then he started massaging her breasts … but she was not sure if that was supposed to be part of the treatment or not …”

The accuser then told police that Strain penetrated her with his fingers, the station reported, again citing police papers. The victim then reportedly consulted with her physician, who explained that Strain’s actions were not part of any normal massaging procedure. She then went to police to file a complaint.

Scirrotto told Action News, as he previously told Patch, that police are continuing to investigate whether or not there may be any additional victims.

Court records show that Strain is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing on Oct. 25. He is currently out on bail.