SLO massage therapist arrested after ‘inappropriately’ touching client, police say
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A San Luis Obispo massage therapist was arrested after allegedly touching a client “inappropriately several times” during a massage appointment.
According to a San Luis Obispo Obispo Police Department news release, officer were made aware of an alleged sexual battery incident at Powersource Chiropractic on Monday.
Police said the suspect, identified as 25-year-old Malcolm Sears, of San Luis Obispo, was working as an independent massage therapist at that location. According to the release, the victim told police that while receiving a massage, “Sears touched her inappropriately several times.”
“The inappropriate touching was outside of massage therapy standards and was believed to be of a sexual nature,” the release said.
Officers then responded to Sears’ residence where they arrested him without incident, according to the release. He was booked into San Luis Obispo County Jail on suspicion of a charge of felony sexual battery by fraudulent representation.
As of Wednesday, he no longer appeared to be in jail custody, according to the SLO County Sheriff’s Office Who’s in Custody website.
According to the release, detectives believe there could be additional unidentified victims who may have been assaulted by Sears.
Those with information should reach out to the Police Department at 805-594-8015 or email Det. Alexander at dalexander@slocity.org. Anonymous information may be reported to Crime Stoppers at 805-549-7867.
This story was originally published December 17, 2025 at 6:13 PM.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story gave the incorrect name of the business. It is Powersource Chiropractic.
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