Chester County massage therapist accused of sexual assault

WEST GOSHEN, Pa. (WPVI) -- A Chester County massage therapist who pleaded guilty to molesting his clients came face to face with several of his victims on Thursday.

James Deiter, 63, targeted clients while working at Massage Envy in West Goshen.

Given time served, Deiter will spend more than five years in prison for indecently assaulting nine women.

In the courthouse, several of his victims described his crimes as 'twisted' and 'soul shattering.'

Susan Weidemann said Deiter had been friendly for the first six massages, talking about his Christian faith and mission work. But that changed on May 2, 2015, when he attacked her.

"There was nothing in six times I saw him that on the seventh that it was going to turn from pure good to an evil that was so palpable that it took my breath away," Weidemann said.

Weidemann said she subsequently learned Message Envy had prior complaints about Deiter, but took no meaningful action.

"Those events did occur, but massage envy did nothing to investigate it or protect other clients, including me," she said.

Weidemann has sued Massage Envy, and she now wants to see a change in the law: that if someone complains to an employer of criminal behavior, the company must then alert law enforcement.

"That company, Massage Envy, would be required by law to report it to law enforcement, so there would be never be an opportunity for it to occur in secret or let a cover-up exist," said Weidemann.

In a statement, Massage Envy said "Mr. Deiter is no longer employed by the franchisee, and we remain appalled that he violated the Massage Envy code and conduct and zero tolerance policy."

The company also said that because of pending litigation, that would have no further comment.