Massage therapist faces sex assault charges
A massage therapist at a Geneva spa faces four counts of criminal sexual assault and six counts of criminal sexual abuse, according to police and court records.
Robert C. Siletzky, 41, of the 500 block of Carriage Drive in West Chicago, was charged earlier this month in connection with allegations stemming from a massage on Sept. 9, 2021, at Hand & Stone Massage and Spa in Geneva, records show.
A woman told police that Siletzky touched and sexually assaulted her during a massage. She reported she "was confused ... and in a state of disbelief. (She) felt shocked and 'frozen' and did not say anything to (him) about his conduct," a police report states.
"Towards the end of the massage, Siletzky commented about the stiffness in her neck. (She) stated she was lying there with her eyes wide open and she was just trying to 'cope' with the situation," the report states.
Siletzky's attorney, David Camic, said he is reviewing the facts and the charging documents.
"We plan a robust defense," he said.
Police interviewed an employee who was working that day, who said she observed that the victim "looked very tense and unhappy to (the employee) as most clients are more relaxed after a massage," the report states.
The four criminal sexual assault charges are Class 1 felonies punishable by four to 15 years in prison if there is a conviction.
Records show Siletzky posted $4,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.
A Hand & Stone spokesperson has provided a prepared statement about the arrest.
"After learning about the sexual assault allegation on Sept. 11, 2021 at the Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa in Geneva, the Geneva spa franchise owner immediately conducted an internal investigation," according to the statement. "The registered massage therapist was terminated on Sept. 16, 2021. The accused was arrested and charged by the local police and is not permitted to return to the spa. The franchise owner has fully cooperated with authorities since the alleged incident occurred in 2021. The Geneva spa is an independently owned and operated franchise location."
The statement says Hand & Stone "has a zero-tolerance policy related to inappropriate behavior" at all of its locations.
"Franchisees adhere to a detailed spa safety program designed to prioritize the safety of its guests and service providers," the statement reads. "All franchise locations are trained on strict hiring and screening tools, therapist training, and prevention, reporting and investigation policies. In this instance, the franchise owner implemented all of the spa safety policies and procedures."