Massage therapist pleads not guilty to sexually assaulting client during private session
A massage therapist from Burbank pleaded not guilty Wednesday to sexually assaulting a client he met while working out of a North Hollywood gym, officials said.
Daniel Holbert, 48, was charged in July with one felony count of sexual penetration by a foreign object by fraudulent representation, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.
He is due back in court next month.
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In March, a woman reported to police that Holbert, who she met at G-Train Fitness in North Hollywood, assaulted her at her Santa Clarita home.
After giving her several massage therapy treatments at the gym, he had suggested they conduct future sessions at his home or hers for more privacy, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
She agreed, as he’d acted appropriately during the gym treatments, officials said.
On March 12, Holbert arrived at her home for their scheduled appointment. During the session, he reportedly sexually assaulted her.
Holbert was arrested in August, roughly a month after he was charged in the incident.
If convicted, Holbert faces three years in state prison.
Detectives asked anyone with information on the investigation to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Special Victim’s Bureau at (877) 710-5273.
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Alene Tchekmedyian, alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com
Twitter: @atchek
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