A Baldwin City massage therapist who worked part time at a downtown yoga studio is now facing even more criminal charges after additional women told police they were assaulted during massage appointments. The latest filings extend an investigation that has already produced multiple criminal counts and a civil lawsuit and has left the suspect jailed while prosecutors and investigators continue to collect reports.
Prosecutors File 3 More Counts in Growing Case
According to The Kansas City Star, prosecutors on Monday filed three additional counts in Douglas County District Court. After the addition, Borger faces three counts of rape, five counts of felony aggravated sexual battery and six counts of misdemeanor sexual battery. The new filings, entered July 20, build on an active case that investigators say began after a client reported an assault during a massage at Om Grown Yoga.
Spring Filings Had Already Piled On
Earlier this spring, prosecutors moved to add several charges to the case. By mid-April, the indictment had grown to 11 counts, including multiple felony aggravated sexual battery charges, according to reporting by the Lawrence Journal-World. Those filings alleged that the offenses occurred between March 2024 and April 2026 while the suspect was providing massage services at the downtown studio.
Police Say Studio Cooperated as Detectives Seek More Clients
The Baldwin City Police Department said the arrest followed a report from a client and that the studio’s owners cooperated with investigators from the outset, according to a news release from Baldwin City. The release urged anyone who believes they experienced inappropriate contact with the therapist to contact Detective Vanessa Garza at 785-594-3850 and noted that requests for comment would be directed to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office.
Affidavit Prompted Other Women To Come Forward
The arrest affidavit made public in the case details how one client reported that a massage on April 3 turned into a sexual assault and describes unusually long face-up sessions, exposed breasts and pelvic contact. Those allegations prompted additional reports from other women, as documented by the Lawrence Journal-World. Some complainants told police they had raised concerns with studio staff as far back as 2024.
Alleged Assaults Tied To Downtown Yoga Collective
Om Grown Yoga and Wellness Collective lists its studio and massage offerings at 816 High Street in downtown Baldwin City and describes itself as a small collective of yoga teachers and wellness providers, according to Om Grown Yoga. Local reporting and the police news release indicate the investigation has focused on a single therapist who offered myofascial release sessions at the studio. According to Kansas.gov's 'KSBHA Licensee & Registrant Profile Search', the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts provides licensee and registrant profile information. Kansas.gov's 'License Verification - Kansas Board of Cosmetology' page indicates that license verification is available through the state's online portal.
Case Remains Active in Douglas County Court
Prosecutors are handling the case in Douglas County District Court and officials say questions will continue to be referred to the District Attorney’s Office while filings and hearings are pending, according to Baldwin City. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court, and officials note that additional charging decisions are possible as investigators review more reports.
Alleged Victim Also Files Civil Suit Against Studio
Separately, the woman whose report launched the criminal investigation has filed a civil lawsuit in Douglas County District Court alleging that Om Grown ignored warnings about the therapist and was negligent in its hiring and supervision practices, The Kansas City Star reported. As both the criminal and civil cases move forward, local authorities continue to urge anyone with relevant information to contact investigators. According to the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards' 'Human Trafficking Task Force' report, the findings and recommendations 'represent over 16 months of study, listening, discussion, and consensus building' (FSMTB, 47 pages). According to 'The Core: Entry-Level Analysis Project Report' (elapmassage.org, Dec. 18, 2013), the report analyzes entry-level education and standards relevant to massage therapy practice.
