A Vancouver massage therapist believed to be on the lam after allegedly having unwanted sexual contact with more than a dozen clients has been arrested and was back in Clark County Superior Court on Wednesday.
Valentin Delgado, 40, appeared in court in April on suspicion of three counts of indecent liberties based on allegations that he had unwanted sexual contact with three clients. Delgado, who was out of custody on supervised release, did not appear for his arraignment later that month, and a felony arrest warrant was issued in Superior Court.
He was found last month in El Centro, Calif., according to court records. Delgado was held in the Imperial County (Calif.) Jail and then extradited Tuesday to Clark County.
Delgado now faces 13 counts of indecent liberties and one count of bail jumping.
While allegedly on the run, about a dozen more massage clients contacted Vancouver police and reported inappropriate touching and conduct from Delgado that occurred in Clark County, according to court records.
Vancouver police said four callers alleged misconduct that occurred in Cowlitz County. That information has been referred to the Longview Police Department.
According to a probable cause affidavit, many of the victims, who are all female, reported having their vaginal areas touched and in some cases their breasts or buttocks massaged during their sessions.
The alleged misconduct ranged from late 2012 to March 2015.
During the investigation, Vancouver Police Department Detective Carole Boswell contacted several massage agencies that Delgado was employed at and discovered a pattern of clients complaining of discomfort. Clients said he failed to cover their bodies in a professional manner, left massage oil in places that were inappropriate to massage and tucked the covering sheet into their underwear, according to court records.
Delgado has worked at several area businesses, including Bridge Chiropractic in Salmon Creek from July 2014 to April 2015; Estetica Day Spa in Longview from September 2013 to August 2014; Elements Therapeutic Massage in Vancouver from June 2013 to December 2013; Spoiled Spa and Salon in Vancouver from October 2011 to September 2013; and Hand & Stone in Vancouver from October 2011 to April 2013.
During his hearing Wednesday, Delgado entered not-guilty pleas to the charges, according to court records. His bail was set at $250,000.
Delgado’s trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 26.
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