Rejuvenu's Michael T. Ricks, Sr. arrested on sex and fraud charges

Hair Removal Information Sources News
#1

I began investigating Ricks in 2002 after he put up [truehairfacts dot com] to attack me and my website for saying his transdermal device was a scam.

Full story here:

Man Claiming To Be Chiropractor, Masseur Accused Of Sexual Assault

Ricks’ Operated Business Under Name Of Gemini Body Works

POSTED: 1:48 pm MDT June 9, 2004
UPDATED: 2:23 pm MDT June 9, 2004
DENVER – A 44-year-old Aurora man who falsely claimed to be chiropractor, massage therapist, cosmetologist, dermatologist and physical therapist, was arrested recently for allegedly sexually assaulting three of his clients.

Michael T. Ricks Sr. (pictured, left) was arrested last Thursday after a woman told officers that she was touched inappropriately on several occasions while under the care of Ricks, whom she thought was a legitimate chiropractor.

During the course of the investigation, two other women also told the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office that they were also victims. The women, ages 18, 25, and 29, were clients of Gemini Body Works, a business Ricks operated inside two legitimate businesses in the metro area, the sheriff’s department said.

Gemini Body Works leased space from Rita B Salon, at 9459 S. University Blvd. in Highlands Ranch, and Back to Health Chiropractic, at 3130 S. Parker Rd., in Aurora.

Ricks was not professionally associated with either of the two legitimate businesses, who were deceived as to Ricks’ qualifications, deputies said.

Ricks operated out of Rita B Salon from October 2003 until May 18, 2004, when he was terminated after they learned of the first possible assault, said Douglas County Sheriff’s Lt. Tim Moore. Investigators believe that Ricks operated out of the chiropractic office in Aurora for about the last year.

Ricks is being held at the Douglas County Detention facility, in lieu of $50,000 bond. He faces charges of sexual assault, unlawful sexual contact, criminal impersonation and unlawful acts.

During the investigation, investigators also found fraudulent credentials indicating that Ricks held a Ph.D. in psychology and a masters degree in clinical psychology from San Maritz University, and was a certified massage therapist through the Kansas Institute of Massage Therapy. Neither of these learning institutions actually exists, Moore said.

Based on the circumstances of the cases currently under investigation, investigators are concerned that there might be other victims who have not come forward and request that any victims, or anyone with information related to this investigation, to call (303) 814-7131.

Rejuvenu scammer Michael T. Ricks Sr. gets 20 to life
Rejuvenu sites (WARNING!)
#2

Another story with details on Rejuvenu’s Michael T. Ricks’ 31 counts of sex assault and criminal impersonation:

Investigators say sham therapist may have assaulted other women

DOUGLAS - Douglas County investigators say a man posing as a doctor and therapist has sexually assaulted three women.

Prosecutors charged Michael Ricks Wednesday with 31 counts, including sexual assault and criminal impersonation.

Ricks is accused of using sexual objects to treat women at three clinics in Aurora and Highlands Ranch. On his Web site, Ricks claims to have a doctorate in psychology and to be a qualified chiropractor, cosmetologist, massage therapist and physical therapist.

But investigators say all of his credentials are bogus. They say that he bought his degrees off the Internet. Investigators believe Ricks may have victimized other women. If you have any information relevant to this case, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office asks that you call 303-814-7131.

[ June 13, 2004, 12:27 PM: Message edited by: Andrea ]

#3

Here’s the Rejuvenu sales page featuring a man police say used bogus credentials and sexually assaulted at least three women:

[rejuvenu dot com/dr_ricks.html]

Let’s see how long that stays up!

#4

Another article on Ricks’ arrest:

[denverpost dot com/Stories/0,1413,36~53~2203194,00.html]

Article Published: Thursday, June 10, 2004

Three clients claim sexual assault

By Jim Hughes
Denver Post Staff Writer

An Aurora man posing as a licensed chiropractor and cosmetician sexually assaulted three women who came to him for treatments, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

Michael Ricks, 44, is accused of inappropriately touching the clients, who are 18, 25 and 29 years of age, officials said.

Rita Ballino said she rented Ricks an unused room in her Rita B Salon in Highlands Ranch last fall, after one of her stylists met him during a makeover segment for Denver soul-music radio station Jammin’ 92.5-FM.

Then, Ballino thought Ricks’ personality and specialized services could help her salon. Now, she thinks Ricks took advantage of his clients’ trust, abusing them after several treatments, she said.

Using a machine that produces electric “microcurrents,” Ricks provided about 10 nonsurgical face- lift treatments a week during the six months he worked at the salon, Ballino said. He charged $175 for each one-hour session, and recommended that his clients sign up for 10, she said. He molested the women after giving them several treatments, sheriff’s Lt. Tim Moore said.

Investigators said they called the Rita B Salon and the chiropractic office in Aurora where he also worked, Back to Health Chiropractic.

Ricks, who was arraigned Wednesday, faces prosecution on 31 charges ranging from sexual assault to criminal impersonation, Moore said.

A message left at the Back to Health Chiropractic office in Aurora was not returned.

Authorities worry that there still could be more victims, Moore said.

“We don’t want any victims to go unnoticed in this case,” he said. “If there are others, we want them to come forward, so we can do the best job on this investigation possible.”

On a website, Ricks claims a Ph.D. in psychology and certification in numerous cosmetic treatments, “massage therapy, personal training, nutritional counseling and body piercing.”

But the claims are phony, police said.

#5

This one has video, too:

[news4colorado dot com/topstories/local_story_163123049.html]

2 More Women Say ‘Dr. Mike’ Assaulted Them

Jun 11, 2004 10:12 am US/Mountain
AURORA, Colo. (News 4) Two more women say they were assaulted by a man accused of posing as a doctor, News 4 reports.

Police say Michael Ricks, 44, of Aurora, posed as a chiropractor, physical therapist, massage therapist and cosmetologist at two different Denver-area businesses and possibly others.

A total of five women now say Ricks sexually assaulted them.

Investigators in Douglas County said Ricks, who was known as “Dr. Mike,” worked at a chiropractic office called Back to Health in Aurora and at Rita B., a Highland’s Ranch salon. Employees at those businesses told News 4 he was a “smooth operator,” a “very charismatic person” and that they had no idea he was a fraud.

Authorities said Ricks lied about having a number of degrees, including being a doctor of psychology. Ricks’ only true degree is apparently a B.A. in speech and drama from the University of Kansas.

Investigators said they want to make clear that the two businesses where Ricks worked are also victims of his alleged deception.

“Everybody was deceived; these places he operated out of were just as innocent as everybody else here, because they really did not know the game he was playing,” Douglas County Sheriff’s Lt. Tim Moore said.

Ricks is being held in the Douglas County Jail on more than 30 charges that range from sexual assault to criminal impersonation.

He has a wife and seven children in Aurora.

Douglas County authorities said they are still tracking other offices Ricks may have used, including one on Mississippi Avenue.

#6

[Douglas County Sheriff’s report:][dcsheriff dot net/MAIN/SPECIAL_ASSIGNMENT/PUBLIC_INFORMATION/MEDIA_RELEASE/PUBLIC/MR_detail.asp?MRID=110]

Date: 6/9/2004 7:32:05 PM

Case # : 04-05279

Court Case #:

What: Man claiming to be a Ph.D., Chiropractor, Cosmetologist, Massage Therapist, and Physical Therapist, Arrested for Sexually Assaulting Three Clients

Body:

On June 3, 2004, Douglas County Sheriff’s Investigators arrested Michael T. Ricks Sr., 44, of Aurora, after learning that he reportedly sexually assaulted three clients. Surprisingly, investigators also discovered that Ricks had claimed to be a Doctor of Psychology, Chiropractor, Cosmetologist, Massage Therapist, and a Physical Therapist, all of which turned out to be false.

The investigation began after a female reported being touched inappropriately on several occasions while under the care of Ricks, who she thought was a legitimate Chiropractor and Massage Therapist. During the course of the investigation, two other reported victims were identified. All three victims, ages 18, 25, and 29, thought Ricks was a legitimate Massage Therapist, Cosmetologist, Dermatologist, and Chiropractor.

Investigators found that Ricks advertised and operated a business named Gemini Body Works. Gemini Body Works operated out of at least two Metro area locations, Rita B Salon, 9459 S. University Blvd., in Highlands Ranch, and Back to Health Chiropractic, 3130 S. Parker Rd., in Aurora. Ricks operated Gemini Body Works by leasing office space from Rita B Salon and Back to Health Chiropractic, where he served as an independent contractor, and was not professionally associated with either of the two legitimate businesses. Essentially, these businesses, Rita B Salon and Back to Health Chiropractic, were also innocent victims, also deceived as to Ricks’ qualifications.

It is believed that Ricks operated out of Rita B Salon from October 2003 until May 18, 2004, when he was terminated from doing business at the salon after they learned of the first possible assault. Investigators believe that Ricks operated out of the chiropractic office in Aurora for about the last year.

Ricks was arrested at his Aurora office on June 3, 2004, and investigators served search warrants of his Aurora home and office on that date. Ricks is currently in the custody at the Douglas County Detention facility, being held in lieu of $50,000 bond on the following charges: · CRS 18-3-402, Sexual Assault, a class 4 felony · CRS 18-3-404, Unlawful Sexual Contact, a class 4 felony · CRS 18-3-404, Unlawful Sexual Contact, a class 1 misdemeanor · CRS 18-5-113, Criminal Impersonation, a class 6 felony · CRS 12-41-121, Unlawful Acts – license required (Physical Therapist), a class 3 misdemeanor · CRS 12-33-101, Unlawful Acts – license required (Doctor of Chiropractic) a class 3 misdemeanor · CRS 12-8-127, License Required (Cosmetology), a class 2 misdemeanor

During the investigation, investigators also found fraudulent credentials indicating that Ricks held a Ph.D. in Psychology and a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from San Moritz University, and was a certified Massage Therapist through the Kansas Institute of Massage Therapy. Neither of these learning institutions actually exists.

Based on the circumstances of the three known cases currently under investigation, investigators are concerned that there might be other victims who have not come forward and request that any victims, or anyone with information related to this investigation, please call Investigator Dea Aragon at 303-814-7131.

Editors: Please emphasize in any news coverage or articles that both Rita B Salon in Highlands Ranch, and Back to Health Chiropractic in Aurora, were not professionally associated with Ricks or Gemini Body Works. Investigators believe that these two legitimate businesses were essentially innocent elements of Ricks’ suspected deception.

#7

Man accused of attacking clients

By Rocky Mountain News
[rockymountainnews dot com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_2961024,00.html]

June 14, 2004

DOUGLAS COUNTY - An Aurora man who passed himself off as a chiropractor, massage therapist and cosmetologist was arrested last week on charges of sexually assaulting clients in the past year.

Michael T. Ricks Sr., 44, was arrested at his Aurora office and was being held Friday on $100,000 bond at the Douglas County Jail.

He has been accused of 28 counts of sexual contact-false medical exam, sexual assault-false medical exam, impersonating a doctor and misdemeanor sexual contact.

At least five alleged victims have been identified, but authorities say there might be more.

“We do not know if he worked out of other offices or if there were more offices he worked out of in the past,” said Lt. Tim Moore, spokesman for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

Ricks operated a business called Gemini Body Works out of offices he leased from other businesses. One was at Rita B. Salon, 9459 S. University Blvd. in Littleton, and the second was at Back to Health Chiropractic, 3130 S. Parker Road in Aurora.

#8

From the Highlands Ranch Herald
[zwire dot com/site/news.cfm?newsid=11992590&BRD=1485&PAG=461&dept_id=417524&rfi=6]

Bogus massage therapist arrested

By: Kim Amidei
June 17, 2004

Michael T. Ricks Sr. of Aurora boasted about a long list of accomplishments and expertise to his patients. Ricks claimed to be a doctor of psychology, a chiropractor, cosmetologist, massage therapist and physical therapist.
Douglas County sheriff’s investigators arrested Ricks, 44, on June 3 after hearing reports that he sexually assaulted three clients.

Ricks is being held on sexual assault charges at the Douglas County Detention Center in lieu of a $100,000 bond.

The investigation started when a female patient reported being inappropriately touched on several occasions while under Ricks’ care. The patient thought Ricks was a legitimate chiropractor and massage therapist.

During the investigation, two additional victims were identified. The three victims are 18, 25 and 29 years old.

“The behavior starts off very slow, somewhat inappropriate, then a little more inappropriate and over the course of time becomes criminal,” said Lt. Tim Moore of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. “He worked by himself most of the time. He may have had a secretary, but that’s all we can find.”

Business named Gemini Body Works

Ricks operated a business named Gemini Body Works, according to investigators. He leased office space from and worked out of at least two metro-area businesses: Rita B Salon, 9459 S. University Blvd. in Highlands Ranch, and Back to Health Chiropractic, 3130 S. Parker Road in Aurora. Both businesses were also deceived by Ricks’ claims about his qualifications.

Investigators believe Ricks operated out of Rita B Salon from October 2003 to May 18 of this year, when he was terminated after the business learned of the first possible assault. Ricks worked out of the chiropractic office in Aurora for the last year, and he was arrested at that office on June 3.

After Ricks’ arrest, investigators learned of one other place where he may have practiced illegally, C’s the Pain in Aurora at Mississippi Avenue and Peoria Street. However, the business is no longer open.

“Since information was released about Ricks on June 9, we’ve had six possible new victims come forward,” Moore said.

False credentials presented

Fraudulent credentials were found that indicate Ricks held a Ph.D. in psychology and a master’s degree in clinical psychology from San Martiz University, and that he was a certified massage therapist through the Kansas Institute of Massage Therapy. Neither of those institutions exists, according to investigators.

Ricks is being held on the following charges:

Sexual assault, class 4 felony; unlawful sexual contact, class 4 felony; unlawful sexual contact, class 1 misdemeanor; criminal impersonation, class 6 felony; unlawful acts-license required (physical therapist), class 3 misdemeanor; unlawful acts-license required (doctor of chiropractic), class 3 misdemeanor; license required (cosmetology), class 2 misdemeanor.

A preliminary hearing for Ricks is scheduled for July 9.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office requests that anyone with information related to this investigation call Investigator Dea Aragon at 303-804-7131.

#9

I have just received word that the preliminary hearing for Michael T. Ricks, Sr. has been postponed to August 6th for those who are following the story or who are interested in attending.

#10

A reader wrote to tell me that the arraignment for Michael T Ricks, Sr. is set for Monday, October 4th at 10:30 am at the Douglas County District Court. It would be expected he will enter a plea of one sort.

#11

A reader told me that Ricks requested a bond reduction at the last hearing on Monday, Oct. 4th. The bond reduction was denied and remains at $100,000. Additionally, the arraignment to enter a plea was continued to Monday, October 25th, when he will be required to enter his plea. Stay tuned!

#12

From a reader:

“Well once again, his arraignment/disposition is rescheduled! The lovely public defenders office switched his attorney and the guy had not yet met with Mike as of yesterday’s hearing. So now the new hearing date is set for Nov. 8th at 10:30am.”

#13

Got word that Ricks posted his $100K bond over the weekend.

#14

Ricks’ arraignment was reset again. November 22, at 8:30am. This time the reason is because once you post bond, you have to reapply to
qualify to be represented by a public defender.

#15

From a reader today:

As you know the case was delayed numerous times for various reasons. The latest court date is set for March 28th, 2005 at 9am in Douglas County District Court. Hopefully he will finally enter a plea one way or the other.

#16

Michael Ricks entered a guilty plea on March 28th and will be sentenced as a sex offender on June 9, 2005 at 1:30pm.

#17

Thanks for keeping us informed.

I had a quick look at Michael T. Ricks’ website (from [archive dot org]), seems to me he did not have any real content or good reference to backup his claim, but to attack HairFacts.

#18

Update: see this post on his 2005 sentencing