Fontainebleau Miami Beach Masseur Charged With Sexual Battery After Assault: Police

Francisco Araica, 27, assaulted a woman while giving her a massage on Sunday, Miami Beach Police said

A 27-year-old masseur has been charged with sexual battery after he assaulted a woman while giving her a massage at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel, police said.

The woman said she had at least 20 prior massages at the hotel’s Lapis Spa without incident – until Francisco Araica assaulted her on Sunday, Miami Beach Police said in an arrest affidavit.

After the shocked and crying victim fended off Araica, he began to shake and breathe heavily and had broken speech, telling her repeatedly that he “had never done this before but she was so beautiful,” according to the affidavit.

She kept talking to him for about 10 minutes to try and keep him distracted so he would not try to hurt her again, before Araica left the massage room, the affidavit said. When she left the room he asked her if she was all right, and she told him "no" and walked away, police added.

2nd Sex Assault Reported at Fontainebleau

After the victim identified Araica in a photo lineup, police went to his home, but his father told them that Araica was “out looking for a lawyer.” Police were in turn contacted by attorney David Epstein, and Araica surrendered to police Thursday evening, according to the affidavit.

The hotel issued a statement on Friday.

"The safety and well-being of our patrons, guests and team members is our primary concern at Fontainebleau Miami Beach, and our security and operations teams work diligently to ensure a safe and comfortable environment,” the hotel said. “Fontainebleau does not comment on guests, as per hotel policy, but the resort is cooperating fully with the Miami Beach Police Department, as well as conducting its own internal investigation."

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