Massage therapist charged for sexual abusing clients, St. Louis County prosecutor encourages more victims to come forward - KSDK.com

[Justina Coronel (KSDK)]

Caleb Israel Isaiah Holmes, 31, was arrested Monday morning, after at-large warrants were issued on Friday.



ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A St. Louis massage therapist is behind bars, accused of sexually abusing two clients at a St. Louis County massage chain.


Caleb Israel Isaiah Holmes, 31, was arrested Monday morning, after at-large warrants were issued on Friday.


Holmes is charged with second-degree sodomy and second-degree sexual abuse.


Two women said they were inappropriately touched by Holmes, who often went by the name Isaiah, in September and October 2024 at MassageLuxe in Shrewsbury.


After that, MassageLuxe fired Holmes.


St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Melissa Price Smith said he preyed on trusting women.


"These women were in a vulnerable position in a private room, lights down, door closed with this individual, Caleb Holmes, and he was giving the massage and that's when he assaulted them."


Since October, Shrewsbury Police Department told 5 On Your Side, Holmes was hard to find to bring into questioning and custody. After exhausting all efforts, the department presented the case to the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office last week.

"Our concern is that there are additional victims out there. We currently have two, obviously we hope there are not more victims. However, if there are, we ask for them to please come forward," Smith shared.

5 On Your Side learned that before charges were issued, Holmes was contracted by Every Body Massage on Chippewa last week, as an independent contractor.


Every Body Massage owner said they trained Holmes on Thursday and the first day on the job was Friday. The owner said Holmes' resume only listed their work as an independent contractor, so the owner couldn't contact other employers, including MassageLuxe.


The owner said she looked on Casenet for a criminal history, but nothing popped up.


On Friday afternoon, Holmes saw a client, on the same day charges came forward. After seeing the news, the owner told 5 On Your Side they contacted the client to let them know. The owner said, the first day on the job for Holmes, also became his last.


That client, who wanted to remain anonymous, shared this statement:


"I received a massage from this individual on Friday 2/21. We expect practitioners to use informed consent - this person regularly checked in with me to see if things were okay. It is also true that some odd behaviors did occur that at the moment, I dismissed because he had been utilizing informed consent. Upon reflection, I see that someone can actively obtain consent AND push boundaries. For example, he asked for consent to massage my shoulder and then got unnecessarily close to my breast. Grooming is a tactic used with sexual abusers and is frequently associated with children, but it can happen to anyone of any age. Listen to your gut and don't be afraid to speak up.


After finding all of this out, I have done a lot of digging into the Missouri Licensing Board and his previous employers, where the alleged incidents occurred. In conversations with a lawyer familiar with these kinds of cases I was informed that the Licensing Board of Missouri is notorious for mishandling these situations. It is alarming that the board is putting people seeking an already vulnerable service in these positions."


Heidi Suguitan is the Director of Clinical Services and Education at Safe Connections. Suguitan talked about the power dynamic of these situations.


"You have a professional who's fully clothed in the room, who knows the layout of the building and then you're there, you're disrobed to some degree, you have some kind of cover, but you're you're in a vulnerable position," Suguitan pointed out. "We're relying on people's background checks to show us this person has already been prosecuted of a crime, but there's a window there before a crime happens or before a crime has been completely prosecuted and convicted, where someone can slip through the cracks, so unfortunately you could be vulnerable."


To reach the Safe Connections 24-Hour Crisis Helpline, call 314-531-2003.

St. Louis County Prosecutor Melissa Price Smith hopes the courage shown by victims, can inspire others.

"Once a victim discloses, they are no longer anyone's victim and that's where they gain their power back," added Smith.


Holmes is being held on a $100,000 cash bond.


If anyone has any similar incidents with the suspect, contact Shrewsbury Police at 314-647-5656 and reference report #24-1114.


5 On Your Side reached out to the Licensing Board of Missouri for a response to the allegations, information about possible red flags on licensees, and any possible complaints against Holmes. As of Monday evening, Licensing Board of Missouri has not responded.


Just last fall, a man was charged with sexually abusing a customer while he was a therapist at a MassageLuXe in Kirkwood. Jon Lindbergh was indicted by a grand jury on Jan. 27 and his trial is still pending.