Pregnant woman accuses Miami Beach massage of inappropriate touching

5 women make accusations against Elias Marcelo Ergas

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Another woman has come forward and accused a Miami Beach message therapist of touching her inappropriately, the fifth woman to make the allegations.

The latest victim was eight months pregnant when she said Elias Marcelo Ergas, 50, massaged her groin and pelvic area during a session in May.

At least four other women in Miami Beach had previously accused Ergas of inappropriate touching, authorities announced Thursday.

Ergas was originally charged with two felony counts of sexual battery and two misdemeanor counts of battery. An additional felony couny of sexual battery was charged Friday, along with a felony county of battery on a pregnant female.

According to his arrest reports, three women went to the Miami Beach police station Wednesday and told detectives that Ergas had touched them inappropriately while they were getting lymph node therapy treatments at the business where he works off 20th Street and Bay Road.

The women all claimed that Ergas massaged their groin area in order to release the toxins from their lymph nodes and proceeded to touch the exterior of their vaginas, authorities said.

One woman said the incident occurred May 9. Another woman said her incident occurred May 13.

Police said a third woman claimed Ergas digitally penetrated her during a massage April 12 and the final woman said she was sexually battered on her final treatment May 14, although she had previously gone to Ergas for massages since March 21.

The fourth woman mentioned said on her last visit Ergas poured oil on his hands before massaging the exterior of her vagina and then digitally penetrating her.

According to the arrest reports, detectives contacted a Miami-Dade County assistant state attorney who said there was enough probable cause to arrest Ergas.

Police said Ergas denied touching any of the women inappropriately.

Miami Beach police spokesman Ernesto Rodriguez said authorities believe more people might have been victimized by Ergas and are encouraging any potential victims to call Miami Beach police at 305-673-7901.


About the Author:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.