Massage therapist remains jailed on suspicion of inappropriate touching
JEFFERSON COUNTY – A Lakewood man remained jailed Wednesday, facing possible charges of inappropriately touching a 16-year-old female client during a massage session at a local facility.
Steven Emerson Noble, 27, was jailed nearly a week ago in connection with allegations he touched the teen-ager “in a sexual manner”, according to a spokeswoman for the District Attorneys Office. The incident reportedly occurred Jan. 14 at the Colorado School of Healing Arts in Lakewood, according to the DA’s office.
Although Noble was arrested last Thursday, The DA’s Office announced the arrest Monday.
Investigators say the alleged victim and her mother went to the massage school and both received massages. Afterward, the teen told her mother that Noble had inappropriately touched her intimate parts, exposed her upper body and took photos of her.
The mother reported the allegations to Lakewood Police investigators, who took the case to prosecutors.
A spokesman for the massage school said Noble no longer works for the school. The suspect was employed by the school’s “Professional Clinic,” which provides massage services to clients from the general public, according to Dennis Simpson, the massage school’s executive director.
“Mr. Noble is a Colorado State Registered Massage Therapist and had been employed for three months in the Professional Clinic, at the time of the alleged incident. He is no longer employed at the Colorado School of Healing Arts,” Simpson said.
Noble’s first appearance in Jefferson County Court was on Jan. 27 and the District Attorney’s Office has until Feb. 2 to make a decision on filing formal charges, according to the DA’s Office. Noble is scheduled to return to court at 10 a.m. that day.
He is jailed on a $5,000 bond.
Lakewood Police detectives urge anyone with information about the case to call Det. Anthony Gherardini, 303-987-7111.
Authorities are withholding Noble’s mug shot because the investigation is continuing.
The Colorado School of Healing Arts is an academic institution approved and regulated by the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Division of Private Occupational School Board, since 1988, according to the school’s press release issued Monday. It offers a curriculum leading to certification in Massage Therapy.
According to the school, Noble is a Colorado State Registered Massage Therapist.
