Key Takeaways
- Edwin Vargas-Garzón, a 48-year-old massage therapist in Austin, Texas, has been arrested in connection with the reported sexual assault of a client.
- Investigators believe there may be additional victims connected to Vargas-Garzón’s work at other massage therapy locations in the Austin area.
- A civil investigation may examine whether the spa implemented appropriate safeguards to protect clients.
Austin Massage Therapist Arrested
Austin police have arrested a massage therapist who worked at Spa Sway on 11011 Domain Dr #124 in Austin, Texas.
According to the Austin Police Department, “On November 2, 2025, at approximately 1:30 p.m., a reported sexual assault occurred at a spa business located at 11011 Domain Drive. The victim came forward a few days after the incident, identifying the suspect as Edwin Vargas-Garzon, a massage therapist employed at the establishment.”
After investigating, Austin police arrested Edwin Vargas-Garzón on February 7, 2026. He is facing three counts of second-degree felony sexual assault.
Allegations Described in the Arrest Affidavit
According to the arrest affidavit cited by the Houston Chronicle, “the woman had been a regular customer at the spa and had previously received a massage from Vargas-Garzón without issue.”
She told investigators that during the appointment in question, “the massage began normally but that Vargas-Garzón made comments that made her uncomfortable and began touching areas of her body that she said were increasingly inappropriate. The woman told police that Vargas-Garzon escalated the encounter and engaged in nonconsensual sexual acts, according to the affidavit…The woman told investigators she was shocked and froze during the encounter.” (Houston Chronicle)
According to records, “Vargas-Garzon later suggested they meet again at another studio and left a business card before the appointment ended.”
Police Believe There May Be Additional Victims
According to the Austin Police Department, “During the course of the investigation, detectives discovered potential additional incidents involving the suspect at multiple massage therapy establishments across the Austin area and surrounding communities.”
The Austin Police Department is urging anyone who may have been victimized by Vargas-Garzón to contact the APD Sexual Crimes Unit at (512) 974-5095 or via email at Sex.Crimes@austintexas.gov.
Authorities have also emphasized that speaking with police is voluntary, and support services are available regardless of whether someone chooses to participate in the investigation. APD Victim Services can be reached at (512) 974-5037.
Statement from Spa Sway
CBS Austin reached out to Spa Sway, the business where the alleged incident occurred, for a statement.
The spa said,
“The individual referenced is no longer employed by Spa Sway. We take all allegations of misconduct extremely seriously and cooperate fully with law enforcement. Because this is an ongoing matter, we are unable to provide further comment. Spa Sway remains committed to maintaining a safe, professional environment for our clients, team members, and the community.”
Prior Concerns Raised at the Spa
Publicly available online reviews suggest that this may not be the first time a sexual assault may have occured at this Spa Sway.
In an October 2021 Yelp review, a customer described an experience in which a massage therapist allegedly crossed boundaries during a session and touched her private area, describing the incident as “absolutely horrifying.”
In response to the review, the business owner wrote that the spa was “incredibly concerned” about the report and stated that it had ended its relationship with the massage therapist out of caution.
Prior complaints involving alleged sexual assault in massage settings can raise broader questions about what safeguards a business has in place to protect its clients.
Massage Therapy Licensing Information
Public licensing records from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation show that Edwin Vargas-Garzón is a licensed massage therapist in Texas.
State records indicate that his massage therapy license (No. MT133167) was originally issued in February 2020 and is currently listed as active, with an expiration date of September 20, 2026. Public records do not appear to show any disciplinary actions taken against his license as of this writing.
Licensing status does not necessarily reflect whether a criminal investigation is ongoing. Professional licensing boards often conduct their own reviews when serious allegations arise and may determine whether disciplinary action, including suspension or revocation, is necessary to protect the public.
Can Spas Be Sued?
The criminal justice system will determine whether Vargas-Garzón is convicted and punished under Texas law. The civil justice system addresses a different question: whether businesses like Spa Sway may also bear legal responsibility for what occurred.
Survivors of sexual assault may have the right to pursue civil claims against a business if its negligence or lack of proper safeguards enabled the abuse.
Civil lawsuits can allow survivors to seek compensation for the emotional and psychological harm caused by sexual assault while also holding businesses accountable for failing to protect their clients.
When sexual assault is alleged in professional service settings such as massage therapy practices, civil investigations may examine issues such as whether proper background checks were conducted before hiring, whether there were prior complaints from other clients, and whether appropriate safeguards were in place to protect clients during appointments.
If a business fails to take reasonable steps to ensure client safety, it may face civil liability.
Civil cases can help uncover institutional failures, encourage stronger safety policies, and help prevent similar harm from happening to others.
Our Commitment
At Andreozzi + Foote, we represent survivors of institutional sexual abuse nationwide.
If you were sexually assaulted by Edwin Vargas-Garzon or another massage therapist, you may have legal options. Being violated by a massage therapist you trusted to respect your boundaries and personal dignity is a horrific breach of trust.
Whether you are ready to take legal action or simply want to understand your options, our trauma-informed attorneys are here to listen, explain your rights, and guide you with compassion through the civil process.
We encourage you to contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.
📞 (866) 311-8640
📧 info@vca.law
Image sources: Edwin Vargas-Garzón, courtesy of austintexas.gov. Spa Sway © Google, via Google Maps.
