Chesco massage therapist sentenced in sexual assaults

A Kennett Square massage therapist who sexually assaulted four female patients was sentenced Monday to seven to 14 years in prison.

The incidents occurred while William Eric Webb, 44, was giving them myofascial-release treatments between 2011 and 2012, according to Chester County District Attorney Thomas Hogan.

"I remember talking about it with my wife, and she just said, this is every woman's worst nightmare," Hogan said after the sentencing in County Court. "You trust your doctor. You trust your physical therapist with your body. And the next thing you know, he's sexually assaulting you."

Webb, who has nearly two decades of experience in massage therapy, was found guilty at a trial this year of sexually assaulting four Chester County women. A jury acquitted him in relation to allegations by two other women who said he had groped them.

Webb was charged in 2013 after one of the victims reported the assault to state police, prompting an investigation. Hogan said the first incident occurred in the spring of 2011, and Webb became more brazen in his assaults as time went on. Webb digitally penetrated the four women.

Hogan said one of the women confronted Webb after the assault, and he sent back the $100 check she had paid for the massage treatment.

Prosecutors had asked Judge David Bortner to sentence Webb to 12 to 24 years, while defense attorney Rob Donotoni asked for four to eight years.

Donotoni, when asked if Webb maintained his innocence, said only that his client plans to appeal the case. He said Webb did not address the women during Monday's sentencing, but told Bortner that he has a strong commitment to his work, family, and friends.