A Bellevue massage therapist is facing multiple charges after three clients allege he groped them, spoke about having sex with them and in one case, purposefully rubbed a client’s arm against his genitals.

Steven Brown, 23, was charged with indecent liberties and two counts of attempted indecent liberties on April 25 after a client reported his behavior to the Bellevue Police in March. During a massage with Brown on March 30, the victim (identified as HF in King County Superior Court documents) reported that Brown began talking to her about sexual boundaries before moving caressing her genitals.

After the victim said she swiped his hand away, he reportedly moved her arms above her head and groped her breast.

Brown was reportedly employed at Monroe Therapeutic Massage on 116th Avenue Northeast, but was fired after a second victim complained to the business’s owner in early April. A third victim spoke to police last month.

Both other women reported similar interactions with Brown. During their separate incidents with Brown, he reportedly pulled down both the sheet covering them as well as their underwear while complimenting their beauty and bodies.

“Phew, I was close. Please forgive me for being so clumsy,” he reportedly told one client, who told police she believes he was masturbating. He also reportedly made a comment along the lines of “sometimes, you need to take the opportunity and go for it,” before placing his hands on a client’s arm and using it to touch his erect genitals.

All three women reported that Brown was mumbling and incoherent during their massages, and one reported that he smelled of stale beer.

His behavior surprised the women, who were all return customers, they reportedly told police. According to one victim, Brown was usually soft-spoken and gentle, but was more assertive and pushy during her incident with him. He also reportedly spoke to at least two women about his recent break-up with his girlfriend of nine years.

Brown denied touching the first complainant inappropriately when interviewed by police last month. He was released on $50,000 bond and the order that he cease from practicing massage therapy.