Nail salon owner arrested for sexual battery of customer

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Tuan Duy Pham, 49, was arrested yesterday and charged with sexual battery after allegedly taking a customer into a back room for a free bikini wax, starting to perform oral sex, and then exposing his genitals before she stopped him and left.

The victim told a Gainesville Police Department officer that she had gone to Joseph’s Nail Salon (2126 SW 34th Street) to get her nails done on December 18; after the nail service was completed, she said, she and Pham were alone inside the business, and Pham asked her if she wanted a free bikini wax service. She said he took her to a back room and performed the wax service while she lay on a bed. She said that when the wax service was complete, at about 4:30 p.m., he placed his mouth on her genitals and began performing oral sex; she said she froze in fear. She said he then exposed his genitals and she told him to stop; both of them left the business at that point, and she reported the incident to police a short time later.

The officer contacted Pham, who reportedly agreed to come to GPD Headquarters for an interview. Post Miranda, Pham reportedly said he is the owner of the nail salon and goes by “Joseph”; the victim had an appointment that day to get her nails done; he and the victim were alone inside the business; the business does not provide bikini wax services; he offered to give the victim a free bikini wax service and performed it on a bed in a back room; after the service was complete, he briefly kissed the victim’s genitals; this is the only bikini wax the business has done since it opened earlier this year; he does not like performing bikini wax services, although he offered the service to the victim; the back room is not meant for customers; and he and his wife sleep on the bed. He denied performing oral sex on the victim or exposing his genitals.

Pham’s wife reportedly confirmed that the business does not provide any wax services below the neck.

Pham has no local criminal history. Judge Kristine Van Vorst ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.