Omaha police first arrested Roland Nieves, 67, on September 15, 2026, in a sexual assault case. Investigators say they believe there may be additional victims and are asking anyone with information to come forward. Nieves is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
A woman who says Nieves assaulted her during a massage approximately six years ago has now spoken publicly about what happened after she reported it. Her account raises a painful question: what might have changed if her initial report had led to a more effective response?
Key Takeaways
- Omaha police first arrested Roland Nieves on September 15, 2026, and say other potential victims may remain unidentified.
- A woman told KETV that she reported an alleged assault during a massage about six years earlier.
- The woman says others contacted her with similar accounts.
- A civil investigation could examine earlier reports and responses, but responsibility beyond Nieves cannot be assumed from his arrest.
Woman Says She Reported Alleged Assault Years Before Nieves’s Arrest
In a KETV interview, the woman described an alleged assault during a massage appointment roughly six years ago. She says she reported the incident at the time but did not see meaningful action follow.
That account deserves attention without assuming facts that have not been established about the earlier investigation. An arrest years later does not, by itself, explain what police, licensing officials, or others knew at the time of her report or why they took the steps they did. Those records and decisions matter, particularly if other clients subsequently raised similar concerns.
Woman Says Others Contacted Her With Similar Stories
According to the account shared with KETV, additional women contacted the original complainant with similar stories. Omaha police publicly stated they believed additional victims remained unidentified.
October 2026 Update
As of October 15, 2026, authorities have stated that a total of 30 women have come forward alleging sexual misconduct by Nieves.
According to KETV, “Nieves currently faces eight sexual assault charges. Police arrested Nieves twice and he bailed out both times. As of right now, Nieves is free but is required to wear a GPS tracking device as his case moves through the courts.”
The court affidavit “lists two different addresses where the incidents allegedly occurred from March 2025 to Sept. 2026. The addresses are for the Avant Salon & Bar and the Sakoon Spa in Elkhorn.” (KETV)
Who Is Roland Nieves?
Roland Michael Nieves was issued a Massage Therapist License in January 2012. His license is currently listed as “Active,” with an expiration date of November 2027.
According to the Nebraska.gov, no disciplinary actions have been taken against his license.
An archived webpage from Avant Salon & Day Spa lists Nieves as a member of the team, stating that he graduated from the Midwest School of Massage in 2012 and that he has been with Avant Salon and Day Spa since 2017.
A 2019 Facebook post from Avant Salon & Day Spa praises Nieves: “This guy… Roland. He basically is our peace, love, and calm.” He is also pictured in a group staff photo.
A May 6, 2022 Facebook post from Sakoon the Spa introduces him as a new massage therapist.
According to a 2015 archived webpage, Massage by Roland, Nieves wrote, “I am currently providing Massage services in the Greater Omaha area. You can visit me at Mind Body Spirit of Omaha my location in Bellevue or I am always happy to come see you…I will be expanding my service area by traveling to other cities and states in the Midwest.”
In a later version of the website from 2019, Nieves also mentions that he is licensed in Iowa.
A search of the Iowa Department of Public Health Bureau of Professional Licensure reveals his Iowa massage therapist license was issued in 2016 and expired in 2024. No disciplinary action is listed.
Why Massage Therapy Sexual Assault Cases Can Be Difficult to Report
A massage requires a client to trust a practitioner while the client may be undressed, physically vulnerable, and alone in a treatment room. Professional touch never gives a therapist permission to cross a client’s sexual boundaries.
A person who experiences an assault during a massage may freeze, question what occurred, or worry that others will dismiss their account as a misunderstanding. None of those reactions makes the reported harm less serious. Clients have the right to end a session and seek help whenever a therapist’s conduct feels unsafe.
Can Survivors Investigate a Civil Claim?
A criminal case addresses the charges against Nieves. A civil investigation can examine the harm a survivor experienced and, when the evidence supports it, whether a business or another party received earlier warnings and failed to act appropriately.
The current reporting does not establish that Avant Salon & Day Spa or Sakoon The Spa knew about alleged misconduct or bears responsibility for it. Identifying where and when each appointment occurred, who received any complaint, and what happened afterward would be essential before making a claim about an institution’s conduct.
Survivors who made earlier reports may want to preserve appointment records, messages, receipts, complaint correspondence, and any responses they received. A Nebraska sexual abuse attorney can review those materials and assess the available civil options under Nebraska law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have police asked other potential victims to come forward?
Yes. Omaha police say they believe there may be additional victims and we are asking you to contact us if you have been impacted.
Does an earlier report automatically establish that a salon is liable?
No. A civil claim would depend on evidence about what was reported, to whom, when, and how the business responded. The place of each alleged incident and Nieves’s relationship with that business also matter.
Can someone explore civil options without waiting for the criminal case to end?
Yes. A survivor can seek legal advice about preserving evidence, applicable deadlines, and possible claims while a criminal investigation continues.
Speaking With a Sexual Abuse Lawyer About Your Rights
Families place tremendous trust in healthcare institutions to provide safe, compassionate care for loved ones who may be unable to care for or protect themselves.
When that trust is violated through sexual abuse, the emotional and psychological consequences can be devastating for survivors and their families.
Andreozzi + Foote represents survivors of institutional sexual abuse in Omaha and across the county.
If you or someone you love was harmed by Roland Nieves or another massage therapist, you are not alone.
Our compassionate attorneys are here to answer your questions and help you understand your rights.
You deserve to be heard. We are ready to listen.
All consultations are free and completely confidential.
(866) 802-5761
