South Tidewater News

Colin D. Stolle, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the city of Virginia Beach, announced that Malik Sayvon Williams, age 29, of the 2300 block of Andrews Blvd in Hampton, Virginia, was sentenced for charges of Object Sexual Penetration (2 counts), Aggravated Sexual Battery, and Battery. He was found guilty of these charges after a four-day jury trial on June 16, 2023. Circuit Court Judge Stephen C. Mahan, who presided over the trial, sentenced Williams to 15 years and 12 months in prison.

The Commonwealth’s evidence proved that between March 28, 2022, and May 28, 2022, Malik Williams sexually assaulted multiple women while he was employed as a massage therapist at Wine and Unwind Day Spa in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach Police became aware of the case on April 20, 2022, when one of the victims reported that she was sexually assaulted by Williams during a massage appointment. Detectives began contacting other clients of Williams, and multiple women reported being sexually assaulted by him. During an interview with detectives, Williams admitted to the sexual conduct, but claimed “most” women “consented” to the sexual acts. He claimed he got their consent by the way the women looked at him. He also admitted, “Sometimes I don’t gauge it right.”

The Commonwealth provided testimony from an expert in massage therapy, the ethics of massage therapy, and the recognized forms of massage. She testified that any sexual contact between a massage therapist and client is unethical and can result in revocation of the massage therapist’s license. She also testified about the power differential that exists between a massage therapist and a client, making clients increasingly vulnerable.

Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott M. Lang and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Megan M. Lang prosecuted this case. Please contact Macie Allen if additional information is desired.

Original source can be found here.