Prescott AZ (March 3, 2020) – On Wednesday, February 26, 2020, a Yavapai County Jury found Aaron Orrico, 49, of Rimrock, AZ, guilty of three counts of Sexual Assault. During the trial, the evidence showed that, in 2016, the defendant was a licensed massage therapist who was working as an independent contractor in the Sedona area. Over a nine-month period, three different women, none of them known to the other, became victims of his sexual assault.
Trial testimony established that on February 18, 2016, Victim A visited a Sedona area spa for a relaxing massage before she ended her vacation and flew back home to the east coast. Mr. Orrico was her massage therapist. During her massage, Orrico touched and rubbed her private parts. Victim A reported this incident and Mr. Orrico was suspended.
Trial testimony further established that on June 7, 2016, Victim B was a repeat customer at a Sedona area spa where she was receiving structural integration massages for a shoulder injury. On that day, Mr. Orrico was her massage therapist. During her massage, Orrico repeatedly touched her private parts although she repeatedly redirected him to her injured shoulder. After this incident was reported, Mr. Orrico was fired.
On November 13, 2016, Victim C visited another Sedona area spa for a deep tissue massage. On that day, Mr. Orrico was her massage therapist. During the massage, he touched and rubbed her private parts. What was first thought to be an accidental touch was confirmed to be sexual by Mr. Orrico’s sexual comments.
Each of the victims separately filed police reports with the Sedona Police Department. After an investigation, the defendant was charged with three counts of sexual assault. Following his guilty verdict, Mr. Orrico now faces a minimum prison sentence of 15.75 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections. Sentencing is set for April 7, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. before the Honorable Michael R. Bluff, Division 7 of the Yavapai County Superior Court.
Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk thanked the Sedona Police Department and Deputy County Attorney Patti Wortman for their work in successfully investigating and prosecuting the case. Polk noted, “It is extremely important for victims of sexual offenses to speak up and report. Predators often count on victims remaining silent. The courage of these women in pressing charges ensures others will not have to endure what they did.”
