A Marietta woman convinced a local judge to sign off on a warrant accusing a massage parlor employee of sexual battery after Cobb County detectives told her they did not see probable cause to charge him. The alleged assault reportedly happened during a November appointment at a Dallas Highway massage business, where the woman says she was groped and pressed against during the session.
Channel 2's Cobb County bureau chief Michele Newell obtained the warrant naming Wenqiang Ye, identified in the report as an employee at Massage Hut on Dallas Highway. The warrant states that the woman and a friend were put in the same room, that she specifically asked for a female massage therapist but received a massage from Ye instead, and that he groped her and pressed himself against her, according to WSB‑TV.
Judge Steps In After Detectives Declined
Cobb County detectives told the station the woman did file a police report, but that based on the evidence they reviewed, they could not find probable cause to pursue a charge. So she took her case directly to a magistrate, and a judge in Marietta later found enough evidence to issue a warrant for Ye.
Under Georgia law, a judicial officer can issue an arrest warrant based on a sworn affidavit even when law enforcement decides not to pursue an arrest, and those citizen-initiated filings are handled through the County Justice Center in Marietta, according to the Cobb County Court.
Attorneys Respond
Ye's attorney, Kyle A. Denslow, told WSB‑TV that the accusations are "baseless" and suggested the claim appears to be financially motivated.
The woman is represented by John Morgan and Shelly Huff of Morgan & Morgan. They told the station she is "committed to seeking justice" and that the firm plans to pursue accountability from everyone they consider responsible.
What The Charge Means
Georgia law defines sexual battery as intentionally making physical contact with another person's intimate parts without that person's consent. The offense is generally treated as a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature, although repeat offenses or certain aggravating circumstances can bring stiffer penalties. The statute that lays out those elements and penalties is OCGA §16-6-22.1, according to Justia.
Local Context
Complaints tied to massage businesses have triggered both criminal probes and licensing crackdowns across metro Atlanta in recent years, with prosecutors noting that regulatory and criminal cases often move side by side. Earlier this year, a Forsyth County investigation led to solicitation charges and a licensing review at a local spa, highlighting how a single complaint can launch multiple enforcement efforts, according to Forsyth News.
