Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 73F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%..

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 73F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.

A forensic artist from the S.C. Law Enforcement Division met with the alleged victim and drew the sketch of the suspect. Beaufort County Sheriff's Department. 

A forensic artist from the S.C. Law Enforcement Division met with the alleged victim and drew the sketch of the suspect. Beaufort County Sheriff's Department. 

HILTON HEAD — The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is searching for an unidentified Asian man accused of sexually assaulting a woman during a massage last month at a massage parlor.

The subject is described as 5-foot-5, 180 pounds, with black or gray hair and brown eyes. He is believed to be in his 60s.

At roughly 5 p.m. on June 8, a woman visited Sunny Spa, located in the Port Royal Plaza at 95 Mathews Drive, where she received a 90-minute, deep-tissue massage from the suspect, according to a redacted incident report.

The following day, the woman reported to deputies that she was sexually assaulted during the massage.

Investigators learned from the massage parlor's owner that the man who provided the massage was not an employee of the business, according to a news release. 

The suspect was requested to give the massage as a trial to become hired as a masseur at Sunny Spa — a newly opened massage parlor in Hilton Head, the release states. 

Authorities said the suspect did not provide any form of identification, nor was he asked to, prior to providing the massage, but the owner of the parlor denied that in an interview.

Sunny Spa owner Chun Mei Zhang said that she does not remember the suspect, but she said she always asks prospective hires to show identification and verification of a massage therapy license.

Major Bob Bromage responded that there was no evidence that identification was provided by the suspect.

Bromage said the sheriff’s office notified the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.

But current state law limits how much the department can do. 

A panel of seven people overseen by the department can investigate a licensed massage therapist for alleged misconduct and take disciplinary action, which includes a fine and revocation of their practicing license, according to the statute.

If an unlicensed person is practicing massage therapy, the panel can “issue a cease and desist” to that individual.

The panel, however, “does not have the legal authority to license or investigate a massage establishment,” according to Lesia Kudelka, the spokeswoman for the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.

That will soon change. An amendment to the South Carolina Code of Laws’ Massage Therapy Practice Act effective May 2023 will require all massage establishments to apply to the department for a license and subject them to examination.

The panel could then deny — or later revoke — an establishment's license if it is found in violation of statutes.  

Anyone who knows the identity of the suspect can contact Cpl. Zachariah Cushman at 843-255-3722. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry at 843-554-1111. 

Reach Ema Schumer at eschumer@postandcourier.com. Follow her on Twitter @emaschumer.

Ema Schumer covers public safety and the criminal justice system in Charleston County.

The Post and Courier 148 Williman Street Charleston, SC 29403

News tips/online questions: newstips@postandcourier.com

Delivery/subscription questions: subserve@postandcourier.com

, Post and Courier, an Evening Post Publishing Newspaper Group. All rights reserved.