Highland man charged for assaulting masseuse who declined ‘happy ending’ massage, documents say

OREM, Utah (ABC4) — A Highland man is facing criminal charges after allegedly asking a masseuse for a sexual favor and stealing her phone when she refused. When the victim tried to get her phone back, police say that he physically assaulted her.

Michael Joshua Speer, 46, is charged with robbery, a second-degree felony; sexual solicitation, a Class A misdemeanor; property damage or destruction, a Class A misdemeanor; and assault, a Class B misdemeanor.

On Oct. 3, 2025, according to court documents, a man — later identified as Speer — went to an Orem massage studio for an appointment. A woman performed the massage, and after she had completed, Speer allegedly asked her for a “happy ending.”

A “happy ending” following a massage is a sexual act, and legally classified as solicitation or prostitution. The masseuse rejected his request and immediately left the room, asking Speer to leave the studio. He got dressed and exited the room, making his way toward the front doors of the business.

When the masseuse checked the massage room, she discovered that her personal phone was missing. Documents say that she stopped Speer at the business door after seeing that his pocket appeared to have two phones in it.

Speer and the masseuse got into a brief argument after she asked for her phone and he refused. The masseuse tried to grab it at one point, and Speer allegedly grabbed her arms and “violently” swung her into the wall and onto the ground.

The victim received several minor injuries, including scrapes and bruises. Speer left the business, attempting to jam the door to stop the victim, but instead broke the lock. The masseuse followed him out and asked for her phone back again, saying she was going to call the police.

In response, Speer threw the phone into a nearby hedge and left the scene, according to court documents. The victim contacted the Orem Police Department about what happened, and they reviewed surveillance footage that showed the assault.

Speer was identified using the phone number he had used to book the massage, as well as comparing his driver’s license photo to surveillance footage. The victim told police that he mentioned working as a dentist, and they found online records that were consistent with her testimony.

Speer was booked into and later released from the Utah County Jail.