Plea expected in sex assault of therapy clients

A Carson City man waived a preliminary hearing Friday and is expected to plead guilty to two charges of attempted sexual assault stemming from allegations that he molested two women during "touch therapy" massages.

Edmund Jakopchek, 50, appeared before Judge John Tatro on Friday. He has been in jail since his arrest March 5.

According to the police report, a 56-year-old woman told police she had been Jakopchek's client for about eight months when one day he molested her and exposed himself.

Jakopchek claimed to practice Chi Nei Tsang, a touch therapy that is designed to release negative energy and centers around the client's stomach.

A 44-year-old woman also claimed that Jakopchek had allegedly assaulted her at a coffee shop where he would sometimes practice massage.

And a third woman claimed Jakopchek had unsuccessfully attempted a similar assault on her.

Assistant District Attorney Gerald Gardner said during Friday's hearing that he intends to dismiss charges of sexual assault and operating a business without a license in exchange for Jakopchek's pleas to two counts of attempted sexual assault.

Each charge carries a penalty of two to 20 years in prison.

Gardner said that during sentencing he will ask for four to 10 years on each count.

Judge Tatro denied defense attorney Day Williams' request to reduce his client's $50,000 bail.

"He'd just like a chance to get his affairs in order," said Williams.

After the hearing, Williams said Jakopchek agreed to the plea deal because the alternative was life in prison.

"He did work on quite a few people in Carson City and they had no complaints. He didn't cross boundaries with them and they got a benefit from his work," Williams said.