DC police say 3rd victim comes forward against massage therapist

WASHINGTON - A D.C. massage therapist arrested and charged with sexually abusing two clients is now accused of inappropriately touching a third client, according to authorities.

Officials said a third alleged victim came forward against 24-year-old Habtamu Gebreslassie, who was arrested on Sunday after a client called the police stating the masseur placed his tongue on her genitals at Massage Envy in the 4900 block of Wisconsin Avenue in Tenleytown.

A second alleged victim came forward and reported that Gebreslassie placed his face close to her genitals and touched her beyond the bikini line against her will on Aug. 28.

The third alleged victim told police Gebreslassie touched her inner thigh and groin area without her permission at Deluca Massage in the 2100 block of P Street NW in Dupont Circle on June 17.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia said on Wednesday that Gebreslassie was being charged with attempted first-degree sexual abuse of a patient or client and attempted second-degree sexual. Prosecutors said their investigation was ongoing on Wednesday.

According to court documents, Gebreslassie denied the accusations from Sunday's incident and said he only massaged the customer's arms and neck before stopping at the request of the client.

Gebreslassie appeared in court on Thursday for a hearing. The 24-year-old was ordered held without bond after the judge heard testimony from a detective in the case.

After Gebreslassie's arrest, Massage Envy said on Monday that he was fired from the job.