Escondido Healer Accused of Raping Client During Massage

DNA evidence tied Vasiliy “Ardi” Galashev, a registered sex offender, to the crime, Escondido police say

A self-proclaimed Tibetan healer in San Diego County sexually assaulted a client while giving her a massage, according to Escondido police.

In May, the alleged victim came to the Escondido Police Department’s Family Protection Unit, saying she had been raped by 61-year-old Vasiliy “Ardi” Galashev.

Galashev, a registered sex offender in California, calls himself “Master Ardi” and claims he is a 7th generation Tibetan healer, according to detectives. He massages clients as a form of treatment.

During one of those massages, the alleged victim said she was raped. When she went to police, investigators collected DNA evidence from her and sent it to the sheriff’s crime lab for analysis.

Two months later, detectives interviewed Galashev and collected DNA from him to compare to the evidence found on the woman.

The crime lab confirmed the two samples were an exact match in November, Escondido police said.

On Monday, detectives arrested Galashev and served a search warrant at his home. There, they seized additional evidence, according to investigators.

Galashev has since been booked into jail on charges of rape and false imprisonment. It’s unclear if he has obtained an attorney.

According to a 10 News report, Galashev pleaded guilty to sexual battery in 2005. As part of his plea deal, he was permitted to continue work at a massage therapist, but he will have to register as a sex offender the rest of his life.

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