COCONUT GROVE, Fla. – The days when Michael "Tiano" Crespo Hernandez was able to associate the name of his salon and spa in Coconut Grove with the success of sexy celebrities like Rosario Dawson and Pilar Montenegro were behind him.
Victor Antonio Sanchez, of Hialeah, has dragged the name of Crespo's business in Coconut Grove through the mud. This week, a few more unidentified women claiming that Sanchez sexually assaulted them at Crespo's business have come forward to authorities.
There were similarities in their accounts. After Sanchez, 56, allegedly sexually abused them while he worked as a massage therapist at Tiano Salon & Spa, 2840 Oak Ave., the victims said he kissed them. They also said that after they rushed out of the massage therapy room, he made sure they saw him staring, as they stood at the front desk to pay for the services.
During a Dec. 14, 2013 massage, authorities said a woman told them this week that Sanchez made "repeated attempts to touch her vagina" and made "at least one successful contact." When she tried to leave the therapy room, Sanchez "kissed the victim on the hand."
Another alleged victims who came forward this week told authorities that Sanchez sexually abused her at Crespo's business July 8, 2013. The woman said Sanchez touched her vagina and breasts, and kissed her on the forehead before she ran out.
In a notice filed after more women came forward, Justin L. Funck, a prosecutor in the case, said the victims share many physical traits. He was not specific.
Prosecutors said in the notice that they intend on relying on evidence of other alleged crimes at Crespo's business during Sanchez upcoming trial at the Richard Gerstein Justice Building in Miami.
Sanchez stands accused of sexual battery for a February 18 incident. A complaint on the incident said that during a massage, Sanchez repeatedly touched a woman inappropriately before he put "his mouth/tongue on the victim's vagina."
When the victim "tried to get up and leave," she said Sanchez kissed her on the lips. The victim reported it to police and filed a civil complaint against Crespo for continuing to allow Sanchez to work in his business despite complaints. Sanchez trial was set to begin August 11.