Disgraced Sarasota massage therapist arrested for 3 counts of molesting a minor - WFLA

[massage]

OTHER TOP STORIES

SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA) - A former employee at a Sarasota Massage Envy is facing additional charges for allegedly molesting a minor.

Ruslan Gruscho, 44, was previously arrested in February after three victims came forward claiming he inappropriately touched them during a massage.

Gruscho reportedly told one victim he had low vision and was legally blind.

The disgraced massage therapist was arrested again this week after another woman came forward with disturbing allegations.

The woman told police she was abused by Gruscho when she was between the ages of 10 and 12.

"Through the previous charges and learning of his arrest over the last couple of weeks for something completely different, she found the courage to come forward and let us know she was a victim herself and we’re extremely proud of her for doing that," said Sarasota police spokeswoman Genevieve Judge.

She said Gruscho would watch "explicit HBO-type shows" with her and ask her to mimic the actions on the program.

"[Gruscho] would then entice/solicit her to perform similar acts on him…Gruscho would ask her to kiss him 'that way,'" the police report states.

The woman also claimed he would sneak into her room late at night and she'd wake up to discover he was touching her inappropriately.

“On paper, he looks like a monster," said Judge.

Elizabeth Melendez Fisher, CEO of the non-profit Selah Freedom, understand what the victim went through first-hand.

“I was probably around 12 and it was by somebody that I never would’ve imagined would do that to me," said Fisher.

She said many child abusers have a close familiarity with their victims.

“That’s how these predators thrive is to do it in a situation where there’s already such trust there," explained Fisher.

She said in many cases, it can take years for victims to come forward.

“As a girl you almost feel like, 'Was I crazy? Was this really happening?' And every defense mechanism in the world kicks in to tell you 'that didn’t just happen,'" she said.

She encourages other child abuse victims to come forward.

“I would say have a voice now because until you have a voice, you're not going to be able to provide and be a voice to someone who needs you desperately," said Fisher.

Gruscho has been charged with three counts of lewd and lascivious molestation with a victim under 12.

If you have any information about other possible victims, call Sarasota Police.


Let's block ads! (Why?)