photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Lawrence Thai Massage at 951 E. 23rd St. is pictured Monday, May 11, 2026.

A 31-year-old male massage therapist was recently arrested by Lawrence police on suspicion of rape.

An affidavit sent to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office for charging consideration details events alleging nonconsensual sexual contact between a male employee and a 19-year-old female client, a news release Monday from LPD said.

Police are asking anyone who visited Lawrence Thai Massage at the corner of 23rd Street and Haskell Avenue and experienced inappropriate behavior to contact investigators at 785-843-0250 and reference incident L26022843 or ask to speak to a detective about the investigation.

Police were dispatched to the establishment moments after the incident occurred, the release said, and crime scene technicians collected evidence, which is now being processed.

Detectives interviewed the employee, and he was ultimately booked into the Douglas County Jail on April 29 and released while the investigation continues.

The jail booking log indicates that a 31-year-old man named Joshua Salazar was arrested in connection with the incident on April 29.

Salazar is the second male massage therapist to have recently been accused of criminal sexual conduct in Douglas County. Massage therapist Aaron Borger at Om Grown Yoga & Wellness Collective in downtown Baldwin City was arrested last month and charged with multiple sex crimes.

Tips can be anonymously submitted to Crime Stoppers of Lawrence and Douglas County at 785-843-TIPS (8477).