A licensed massage therapist from Skippack Township was sentenced to jail after being convicted of indecent assault against a female client. On September 14, 2023, Dominique “Dom” Kossally, 34, was found guilty of aggravated indecent assault and indecent assault following an incident at Spavia, a spa located in King of Prussia.
In Montgomery County Court, Judge Thomas M. DelRicci imposed a sentence of 11.5 to 23 months in county jail, along with five years of probation to follow. Kossally will be under sex offender supervision during this period, amounting to approximately seven years of court oversight.
During the trial, which concluded in May, a jury deliberated for seven hours before reaching a guilty verdict. Kossally, who maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, addressed the court, stating, “I didn’t do this… I lived my life respecting everyone I came across.” He expressed concern for the challenges faced by men in his profession, suggesting that such allegations can unfairly impact their careers.
Support for Kossally was evident in the courtroom, with over 60 individuals submitting letters on his behalf. Among those present were family members and friends, including his wife, whom he married just two days after the conviction. Kossally’s mother pleaded with the judge, saying, “He’s not a criminal. Please don’t do that. You’ll ruin his life.”
Despite the emotional testimonies from Kossally’s supporters, Judge DelRicci emphasized the importance of the jury’s decision. He acknowledged the good character Kossally had shown in his community but remarked, “Good people sometimes do bad things. I can’t ignore the conduct.”
The prosecution, represented by Senior Deputy Attorney General Thomas Ost-Prisco, argued for a more severe sentence of three to ten years in prison, highlighting the breach of trust inherent in Kossally’s actions. Ost-Prisco stated, “The defendant took advantage of the victim in this case. He broke that trust.”
The victim, who did not attend the sentencing, provided a victim impact statement that was submitted to the court. During the trial, she described the indecent contact that occurred during her massage, which led to an immediate complaint to the spa’s management. Following the incident, Kossally was terminated from his position at Spavia.
Kossally’s defense attorney, Scott McIntosh, argued for a mitigated sentence, noting that Kossally had no prior criminal record and had been a respected professional for ten years. He expressed shock at the allegations and maintained that Kossally intended to appeal the conviction for a new trial.
Judge DelRicci ultimately decided against work-release eligibility and denied Kossally’s request to remain free on bail while pursuing his appeal. Additionally, as a result of the conviction, Kossally will be required to comply with Pennsylvania’s Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act, which mandates lifetime registration.
The case began when a complaint was lodged with the Pennsylvania Department of State in September 2023, following allegations that Kossally had inappropriately touched a guest during a massage. According to the criminal complaint filed by special agent Paul Busch, the victim reported that Kossally touched her inappropriately and subsequently asked if she wanted additional services after the incident.
The case has drawn significant attention to issues of professionalism and trust within the massage therapy industry, raising concerns about the vulnerability of clients in such settings.
