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Massage therapist enters no contest plea in sex assault case

Posted at 9:16 AM, Aug 16, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-16 09:16:06-04

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — A 54-year-old Grand Rapids massage therapist has pleaded no contest to third-degree criminal sexual conduct in connection with an assault during a therapy session.

John Ashby’s plea came Monday — the day his trial was to start in Kent County Circuit Court.

Police say the incident reportedly occurred in February at a spa in Grand Rapids. The spa has closed.

A no contest plea isn’t an admission of guilt but is treated as such for sentencing. Ashby is to be sentenced on Sept. 29.