Massage Therapist Sentenced To 8 Years For Secretly Videotaping Clients

Kirk Jackson was sentenced to eight years in prison for secretly videotaping his massage therapy clients as they undressed. Jackson, 39, of St. Charles, pleaded guilty in June to 14 counts on invasion of privacy. The eight-year sentence was for two counts of invasion of privacy.

St. Charles County Circuit Judge Nancy Schneider also sentenced Jackson to four years in prison for each of 11 additional counts of invasion of privacy. Those sentences will run consecutively, but will be suspended. So, Jackson will be on probation for 44 years, court officials said.

Jackson also will pay restitution to his clients for the money he charged them for massage therapy, Schneider ordered.

Jackson will not be required to register as a sex offender, but when he’s released on parole, he will be assigned to a parole officer who manages sex offender cases.

In pronouncing the sentence Thursday afternoon, Schneider noted it was not a one-time action.

“This crime did require planning and execution,” the judge said. “I can’t help but wonder, had not one of his clients been able to see what she did, that this situation would still be going on today.”

Assistant prosecutor Rebecca Shaffar told the court there were 90 videotapes made of clients at Atlas Massage in St. Charles alone, plus dozens of other videotapes at St. Luke Hospital, the Missouri Athletic Club in Town & Country, the Jewish Community Center in Creve Coeur and other locations.

“This is not a ‘poor decision,’ “ Schaffar said, referring to the way Jackson’s friends and family characterized his actions. “This is a lifestyle.”

Before the sentencing, two victims told how the incident impacted their lives. Jackson’s friends, family members and pastor also gave statements supporting him.

Two women who were clients whom Jackson videotaped both mentioned how they had placed trust in Jackson as a licensed massage therapist, a trust they find it difficult to give now.

“Whenever I’m in a vulnerable situation, whether it’s in a restaurant or a public restroom, I can’t shake the feeling that someone’s watching,” she said.

Another woman said she felt violated by everything associated with the case. She said it angered her that a professional would take advantage of the trust placed in him.

She said she was horrified when she saw that Jackson was accused of videotaping his clients undressing, realizing he might have done the same to her.

“I then viewed nude videotapes of myself in the presence of a detective investigating the case,” she said. “I’ve had trouble sleeping at night.”

Durin his statement, Jackson apologized to the victims and said he could scarcely express his “deep grief and regret.”

Jackson said, “I confess that I betrayed all of you, that I abused your trust in such a seedy act fills me with regret and shame.”

Scott Jackson, Kirk’s older brother, called his brother “a hardworking guy, a standup guy.”

Scott Jackson said he was surprised when his brother was charged, but said the situation has changed him.

“I see a great deal of remorse from him. Kirk’s had a change of heart and a return to the faith he was brought up in,” Scott Jackson said.

Michael Kennison, pastor of Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church in Creve Coeur, said Jackson’s family are parishioners of his church and he visited with

Kennison said that in jail, Kirk Jackson led Bible studies and counseled other prisoners. He said Jackson also appeared to be remorseful for his crimes.

Schaffar asked Kennison if the threat of jail is motivation for prisoners to “put their best foot forward.”

“Yes, I’d believe that’s true,” Schaffar said. “I think Kirk is more concerned with his status before the Lord than he is jail time.”

Schneider also denied a motion by Jackson’s attorney, Louis Horwitz, who said victims who made statements that requested certain sentences violated Jackson’s constitutional rights.

Schneider said the victims are allowed to comment during the sentencing hearing on how the crime impacted their lives. The victims may make requests regarding sentencing, but the court does not have to take them into consideration, she said.