Giacomo Bologna

GBOLOGNA@NEWS-LEADER.COM

Four women told police that a Springfield massage therapist touched them in a sexual manner while giving them massages.

William Morlang, 34, faces six charges of sexual abuse and four charges of sodomy, according to court records.

The incidents took place last year between March and November, according to a probable cause statement.

When asked about the alleged crimes, Morlang denied them, the probable cause statement said.

“Morlang said he did not intentionally brush his groin against her hand. He said at times, he has to move a person’s hand away from their body, so he can reach their body to massage it,” the probable cause statement said. “Morlang explained that he has to locate a specific area to effectively complete a massage. Therefore, if he had touched her vagina it would have been as he was palpating to find the correct location to complete the massage.”

According to the probable cause statement, police only spoke with Morlang about two of the women he allegedly sexually abused because he declined to answer further questions.

"Morlang advised that he was not doing himself any good and he no longer wanted to speak with me," the probable cause statement said.