Roseville massage therapist charged with sexually assaulting client

A Roseville massage therapist sexually assaulted a client in September, according to charges.

Gary L. Sarppo, 59, of New Brighton, was charged Wednesday in Ramsey County District Court with one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct for the Sept. 23 incident.

The alleged assault occurred at Massage Rejuvenation on Rice Street in Roseville.

"What happens in this room stays in this room," Sarppo allegedly whispered in the woman's ear after the alleged assault.

According to the complaint: The woman had an appointment with Sarppo, whom she had been patronizing for two years, for 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sarppo had a solo practice.

Sarppo was working on the woman's hip when, about 45 minutes into the session, he instructed her to position herself face up. The woman later told police that the position was not normal.

Sarppo massaged the woman's hips "more aggressively," the complaint said, and then assaulted her with his fingers. The woman was naked but covered with a sheet.

The woman told police that she felt pain, sat up and nodded for him to stop when he asked. She confronted him in the lobby after the session, and he "talked about how he was stressed and had a lot going on in his life," the complaint said.

Sarppo was arrested Dec. 5, and allegedly admitted to police that he touched the woman, although he characterized it as a "misunderstanding" due to "flirting" and "body language."