Man sexually assaulted during spa massage then blackmailed, police say

The owner and anemployee of a Winnipeg beauty spa face extortion charges after a man says he was sexually assaulted, videotaped and threatened with the footage.

Police believe there are other victims as welland are urging them to come forward.

Simple Mehta, the owner of Simi Magic Spa on St. Anne's Road, is charged with extortion, procuring and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.

The employee, PamSandu, 22, is charged with extortion, voyeurism, sexual assault and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.

Mehtahas alsobeen accused of enlisting another woman to "offer or provide sexual services," according to court documents.

Police say a29-year-old man, who wasin abusiness relationship with 39-year-oldMehta, went to the spa on a business matterand was offered a massage by an employee while he waited for Mehta.

Once hehad prepared himself for the massage, the man was sexually assaulted anddiscovered he was being videotaped with a cellphone, police said.

"At this point the victim wasextorted out of a sum of money with the threat that the video recording would be released," police said.

The man handed over "thousands" of dollars before going to police to report the incident, police spokespersonConst. Rob Carver said at a news conference.

Man sexually assaulted during spa massage then blackmailed, police say

8 years ago

Duration 2:15

The owner and employee of a Winnipeg beauty spa face extortion charges after a man says he was sexually assaulted, videotaped and threatened with the footage.

Asked if the assault was actually a sexual favour the man had agreed to, Carversaid it doesn't appear hewas under the impression "he was getting anything other than a regular massage."

Carver also said police believe the man is likely not alone in being blackmailed in that way.

"It is our understanding that there's certainly a potential there areother victims, and if anyone feels they have any connection, we'd like them to come forward for sure," he said.

Asked if the police believe the incident wasa "systemic" issue atSimiMagic Spa, Carver said "we believe that's the potential here, yes."

"We had received information that had put this business on our radar, but we hadn't been able to move forward prior to this," he said.

That "information" isn't restricted to sexual assault, he added, saying police are looking into the possibility"that other criminal activity may have been occurring at the business."

MehtaandSandhuremain in police custody and more information on further charges could be released on Tuesday, police said.

Theinvestigation continues, and anyone with information is asked to call police at 204-986-3464or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).