Former Battle Ground massage therapist gets 3 years for inappropriately touching female patients

A former Battle Ground massage therapist was sentenced Wednesday to three years in prison for inappropriately touching two female patients.

Eddie D. Anzalone, 51, pleaded guilty in February in Clark County Superior Court to third-degree rape, indecent liberties without forcible compulsion and second-degree assault. He was originally charged with second-degree rape and indecent liberties without forcible compulsion.

One of Anzalone’s former patients spoke through sobs as she described the lasting impact his actions had on her and the way he broke her trust. Another woman said Anzalone’s actions changed her life forever, and she hoped the convictions would change his life, too.

Defense attorney Jon McMullen said he couldn’t offer the women the explanation they were seeking as to why this happened. He described Anzalone as a good man who had been a pillar in the community prior to the incidents.

Anzalone declined to speak during the hearing.

Before Judge Jennifer Snider ordered the agreed-upon sentence, she told the women she hopes resolving the case can give them some closure. Anzalone will also be required to register as a sex offender for 15 years.

“It struck me that you wanted to have forgiveness for Mr. Anzalone. But I also want you to forgive yourself,” Snider said to one of the women. “You did nothing wrong. And to hear you say that, maybe, in the back of your mind you think there was something — no, there was nothing, there was nothing that you did.”

Anzalone was employed at Opdahl Chiropractic and Massage, 105 N. Parkway Ave., Battle Ground, but he quit March 1, 2019, after a client lodged a complaint against him with one of the business’s owners, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

The victim said that during a Feb. 27, 2019, treatment session, Anzalone placed his face “extremely close” to hers, making her feel uncomfortable. He then moved his hands under the towel covering the woman, massaged her breasts and asked, “Do you like it?” The woman said no, brought her arms up to protect herself and ended the appointment. She asked to see another massage therapist for future appointments and lodged a complaint over the phone, the affidavit states.

When the owner questioned Anzalone about the allegations, he didn’t deny them, she said. He subsequently quit. Investigators also learned of a second victim while interviewing the owner. Another client asked if Anzalone had been fired for inappropriately touching other clients and then disclosed her complaint to the owner, court records say.

During a Feb. 15, 2019, session, Anzalone brushed over that victim’s vaginal area, over the towel, with both hands. At first she thought it was a mistake, she said, but then during a Feb. 22, 2019, session, he inappropriately touched her again, the affidavit states.