PFLUGERVILLE, Texas — The Pflugerville Police Department announced Wednesday the arrest of a local massage therapist accused of sexually assaulting a client during a session last fall.
Arrest and Charges
Police identified the suspect as 42-year-old Holt Marshall Field, a licensed massage therapist who operated at Pflugerville Massage & Skin Care on 112 W Pecan Street. Field was taken into custody on charges related to a reported sexual assault that occurred on October 29, 2025.
According to authorities, Field remains in the Travis County Jail on a $40,000 bond, and a judge has issued an Emergency Protective Order preventing him from contacting the alleged victim.
Details from the Affidavit
Investigators said a woman came forward on December 2, 2025, to report the assault. In the arrest affidavit, she told police that during a scheduled massage appointment, Field inappropriately touched her and made an unsettling remark afterward.
“During the incident, [the victim] said she froze and could not move,” the affidavit states. “Once [Field] was finished, he said to [the victim:] ‘It was my pleasure to do that for you.’”
The woman recalled that no one else was present inside the building at the time of the appointment. She also noted that the shop’s front door was locked when she arrived and remained locked when she left, something Field told her was “to keep them safe.”
Pattern of Similar Reports
Police said the woman confided in a few people before deciding to report the assault, and those individuals corroborated her account. Investigators also discovered two earlier reports involving Field—one in 2019 and another in 2023—that described “observed similarities” in conduct, though the victims do not know one another.
Continuing Investigation
Court documents say the victim is a nurse who expressed deep concern about potential future incidents, adding that the assault caused both emotional and physical effects. Pflugerville police are encouraging anyone with information or who believes they may have been affected to contact the department.
As of Thursday, the investigation remains active.
When Trust Is Broken: Legal Paths for Families After Massage Therapist Sexual Abuse
Families often feel stunned and overwhelmed when a loved one reports sexual abuse by a massage therapist, especially in a place that was supposed to offer care and healing. In this interview, Texas sexual abuse lawyer Anjali Nigam explains the legal options available to survivors and their families, from holding individual perpetrators accountable to examining whether a spa or clinic failed in its duty to protect clients. The conversation explores how families can support survivors, what steps they can take next, and how civil cases can seek answers, accountability, and compensation while the criminal process unfolds.
Laurence Banville, Esq.: When someone in Texas reports being groomed and abused by a massage therapist, what are the main legal paths they can consider?
Anjali Nigam, Esq.: They often have both criminal and civil paths. Police and prosecutors handle the criminal case, while a separate civil lawsuit can seek compensation for the emotional, physical, and financial harm the person has suffered.
Banville: Many survivors freeze during the assault, especially in a vulnerable setting like a massage room. How does that “freeze” response affect their case?
Nigam: Freezing is a recognized trauma response and does not mean consent. In Texas, the law looks at whether the contact was unwanted and whether there was a power imbalance or abuse of trust, not whether the victim fought back or physically resisted.
Banville: If the therapist worked at a spa or clinic, can the business also be held accountable?
Nigam: Yes, depending on the facts. If the business ignored prior complaints, failed to screen the therapist, or didn’t have basic safety policies in place, they may face claims for negligent hiring, retention, or supervision in addition to claims against the individual therapist.
Banville: For someone reading this who recognizes similar grooming behavior from a massage therapist, what practical steps should they consider taking?
Nigam: Document everything you remember, seek medical and mental health support, and speak with a lawyer experienced in Texas sexual abuse cases as soon as you feel ready. An attorney can explain deadlines, help coordinate with law enforcement if you choose to report, and guide you through the process in a trauma-informed way.
Talk to a Lawyer About Your Options
No one should have to navigate this kind of trauma alone, and you do not have to figure out the legal system by yourself. If you or someone you love has experienced sexual abuse by a massage therapist, our team is available to listen to your story, explain your options, and help you understand what accountability might look like in your situation. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation so you can get clear answers, protect your rights, and take the next step with informed support.
Source
https://www.newsnationnow.com/crime/texas-massage-parlor-owner-faces-sexual-assault-charge/
