(Woodland, CA) – March 6, 2018 – District Attorney Jeff Reisig announced that today a Yolo County jury found Rodwin Yamsone Vibat, 45, of Woodland, guilty of multiple counts of Sexual Battery, arising from Mr. Vibat’s work as a massage therapist in Davis, California.
The evidence presented at trial by Supervising District Attorney Ryan Couzens was that, between April and August of 2016, three separate women received massages from Mr. Vibat, in Davis, during which he inappropriately touched their breasts or genitals. All three women testified about the assaults to the jury, sometimes through tears. The prosecution called two other women who had been touched inappropriately by Mr. Vibat, also on their genitals or breasts, during massages. The jury also heard a recorded interview of Mr. Vibat in which he admitted that he touched one of the victims because he was “consumed” by a sexual “energy” that would occur during his massages. Mr. Vibat also admitted that he was asked to leave at least three other massage establishments because of inappropriate touching. The jury deliberated for just under two days before returning guilty verdicts that included felony Sexual Battery by Fraudulent Misrepresentation for one victim and misdemeanor Sexual Battery for all three named victims.
District Attorney Jeff Reisig commented: “Mr. Vibat promised these women a professional massage and instead took advantage when they were most vulnerable.” Reisig also praised the good work of the jury, the courage of the women for coming forward and testifying and the diligent efforts of the Davis Police Department in investigating the case.
The Honorable David Rosenberg, who presided over the trial, will sentence Mr. Vibat on April 17, 2018 in Department 14 at 8:30 a.m. Mr. Vibat is facing probation and jail time or up to four years in state prison.
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