Legal Analysis By Attorneys
Breaking Legal News
A Miramar Beach massage practice owner with a suspended license has been arrested for the second time following fresh allegations of sexual misconduct during a client session, the Walton County Sheriff's Office confirmed Tuesday. FL Massage Owner Blaine Searcy Arrested Again on Sexual Misconduct Allegations in Miramar Beach.
Blaine Searcy, 70, owner of Massage Therapy by Blaine in Miramar Beach, was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon on an active warrant stemming from an incident on April 20. A client reported that Searcy provided her with only two small towels to cover herself during the session and repeatedly touched her breasts. He also allegedly made sexual comments and jokes throughout the appointment.
Adding to the misconduct allegations, Searcy reportedly told the victim after the session that his license was suspended — and instructed her to tell anyone who asked that a person named "Chris" had performed the massage.
Investigators confirmed that the Florida Department of Health suspended Searcy's massage therapy license in January 2026. That suspension followed a complaint detailing several unorthodox practices and allegations of sexual misconduct during a massage session the previous October.
Searcy had also faced prior battery charges connected to a separate incident during a massage, according to the Walton County Sheriff's Office.
Searcy now faces charges of battery and misrepresentation as a licensed massage therapist. His arrest Tuesday afternoon marks at least his second in connection with alleged misconduct at his Miramar Beach practice.
The factual information above was sourced from wjhg.com as of July 1, 2026.
The attorney commentary below is not specifically about the case reported above. Attorney commentary provided is information about these types of cases in the justice system.
A trip to a massage therapist should be a safe, professional experience. When that trust is violated through unwanted touching or sexual misconduct, many victims are left confused, shaken, and unsure where to turn. Florida law provides clear protections for survivors — but knowing how to act on those rights makes all the difference. Miami-based sexual abuse attorney Michael Haggard of The Haggard Law Firm, who has represented survivors across Florida, walks us through what victims can do, what their rights are, and why coming forward matters.
Editor Darla Medina: When someone is touched inappropriately during a massage, what are the first steps they should take from a legal standpoint?
Attorney Michael Haggard: The most important thing is to report it immediately — to law enforcement and to the Florida Department of Health. Preserving your account of what happened while it is fresh is critical. Write everything down. If there were witnesses, note that too. The sooner a report is made, the stronger the record becomes.
Medina: Beyond a criminal complaint, do victims have civil options as well?
Haggard: Absolutely. A criminal case and a civil lawsuit are two separate paths, and victims can pursue both at the same time. In a civil case, the person who was harmed can seek financial compensation for what they endured — including emotional distress, medical costs, and other damages. Florida law takes sexual battery and unwanted touching very seriously, and civil courts give survivors a separate avenue for accountability.
Medina: Can the business itself be held responsible, not just the individual therapist?
Haggard: Yes, and that is an important point. Depending on the circumstances, liability can extend beyond the individual who committed the act. If a business owner employed someone with a known history of complaints, failed to properly vet staff, or allowed unsafe conditions to persist, the business can be held accountable. Victims should not assume their only recourse is against one person.
Medina: What if the therapist was not properly licensed? Does that affect the case?
Haggard: It strengthens it. Practicing massage therapy without a valid license in Florida is a violation of state law. When a practitioner misrepresents their credentials, that adds another layer of wrongdoing. It can support both the criminal charges and the civil claims. It also raises serious questions about how that person was allowed to work on clients in the first place.
Medina: What would you say to someone who is hesitant to come forward after something like this?
Haggard: I would tell them that what happened to them was not their fault, and that they have rights. Coming forward not only protects them — it can prevent the same thing from happening to someone else. Many survivors feel shame or doubt themselves, but Florida law exists to protect them. Speaking with an attorney confidentially costs nothing and can help them understand exactly where they stand.
If you or someone you love has been victimized by a massage therapist, you do not have to face it alone. The Legal Herald is here to connect you with an experienced attorney who handles cases exactly like yours — at no cost and with no obligation whatsoever. One confidential conversation could be the first step toward holding the right people accountable and reclaiming your sense of safety and control. Contact us today and let us connect you with the legal help you deserve.
info@legalherald.com