A 31-year-old Kirkland massage therapist was found guilty of indecent liberties after being accused of sexually assaulting 26-year-old woman late last year.

Benjamin Adam Fesler of Lynnwood pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six months work release and is required to register as a sex offender. He was initially charged by the King County Prosecutor’s Office with second degree rape of a patient on Oct. 23, 2014 during a scheduled full-body massage at the Kirkland Massage Envy. Incident liberties is a class B felony.

Fesler had no prior criminal history.

“Massage Envy Spa and our Kirkland franchisee were horrified to learn of these allegations, and we sympathize with the guest involved,” said Massage Envy spokesperson Karen Sung in a statement to the Reporter. “We have a zero tolerance policy against inappropriate conduct. Each franchisee, including the Kirkland owner, is required to conduct criminal background and reference checks prior to hiring and are instructed that all licensed massage therapists must complete training prior to employment, which specifically covers our zero tolerance policy on inappropriate conduct; all of which was completed correctly in this case. In addition, the Kirkland owner notified local law enforcement immediately upon learning of the allegations and has cooperated fully during their investigation.”