By: Eileen Frere
SEAL BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- A local masseur faces charges for allegedly groping three women. Now investigators are looking for other possible victims.
Jason Elliott, 28, is suspected of sexually assaulting three women while giving them massage treatments at a spa called Massage Envy in Seal Beach.
"They were topless, they were laying on the massage table and he's accused of groping their breasts, groping their buttocks," said Farrah Emami, spokeswoman for the Orange County District Attorney's Office.
Authorities allege the victims are between 21 and 33 years old.
The first incident goes back to September 2009. Prosecutors say one alleged victim reported it to police. During the investigation, they learned of the two other women.
Prosecutors say Elliott was fired in April 2010, when Massage Envy learned of the accusations. The company would not talk on camera, but the manager says a criminal background check was done on Elliott before he was hired. Massage therapists also receive training which includes covering policy that prohibits inappropriate conduct.
In a statement Massage Envy said: "We take all customer complaints very seriously and have a zero tolerance on inappropriate behavior."
Authorities are concerned there may be other potential victims since Elliott may have continued working at other businesses in south Orange County up until earlier this month, when he was no longer licensed to be a massage therapist.
"We're really concerned there could be other women out there who are just too afraid to come forward at this point," said Emami.
Massage Envy says the company has conducted its own internal investigation and cooperating with police.
Elliott pleaded not guilty to the charges Tuesday. He posted $100,000 bail and was set free Tuesday following his arraignment.