By Joe Johnson
A massage therapist this week was indicted on charges he sexually assaulted two customers last year at a salon in Athens where he had been employed.
The indictment, filed Tuesday in Clarke County Superior Court, charges 29-year-old Cody Jonathan Barrett with sexual battery and aggravated battery.
The alleged assaults occurred on separate days in August 2020, according to police and court records.
According to Athens-Clarke County police, who did not release the name of the business, A 50-year-old woman reported that on Aug. 7 she was getting a massage by Barrett when he touched her inappropriately.
For that alleged act, the indictment charges Barrett with misdemeanor sexual battery because he “intentionally made physical contact” with the victim “by touching the outside of her vagina while performing a therapeutic massage...”
The second alleged victim, a 34-year-old customer, reported she was assaulted by Barrett on Aug. 22 in a manner that made the alleged offense felony aggravated battery, according to police.
The indictment alleges that Barrett inserted his finger in that victim’s vagina without her consent.
After an investigation, police arrested Barrett on Nov. 6. He was subsequently released on a $10,000 bond with conditions he have no contact with the alleged victims and cannot practice massage therapy during the pendency of his case.
Barrett is from Homer in Banks County, but at the time of his arrest he was living on Marlin Street in Athens. He was fired by the Athens salon after the customers made their allegations.
Barrett is scheduled to be arraigned on Aug. 16.
Anyone who has been sexually assaulted or knows someone who has can contact The Cottage Sexual Assault Center and Children's Advocacy Center. The agency provides a range of free services to child and adult victims of sexual and physical abuse, including medical care, advocacy, referrals, counseling and support groups. The Cottage also maintains a 24-hour crisis and information hotline at (877) 363-1912. For more information visit www.northgeorgiacottage.org.