Update: 10 Additional Customers Allege Sexual Assault at Cosmetic Laser Center
Following owner Lawrence Branam's arrest for sexual assault, 10 more alleged victims have stepped forward and reported incidents to St. Peters Police.
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Following his arrest on June 20 for sexual assault, 10 other alleged victims have stepped forward against Cosmetic Laser Center owner Lawrence Branam.
St. Peters Police said on Monday that, following reports of Branam's arrest last week, additional people have reported incidents. Police say that now 11 people have contacted the authorities alleging they were also sexually assaulted during procedures. More charges are expected to be filed against Branam at a later date.
The St. Peters Police are asking anyone who feels as though they were a victim of a sexual assault by Lawrence Branam at Cosmetic Laser Center to contact Detective Doug Ziegemeier at 636-278-2244 ext. 3594.
Branam, a 48-year-old resident of O'Fallon, MO, was arrested at his business, located at 7030 Mexico Road in St. Peters, after St. Peters Police received a report that he had inappropriately touched a female client during hair removal treatments. The client told people she had gone in for laser hair removal and Branam had touched her in areas which were not treated as part of the laser hair removal process. The client stated the touching was sexual in nature and unwanted.
Branam was charged with Assault 3rd in 2011 in a similar incident through St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The case has not yet been resolved in the State Court.
Branam was charged in the original incident with Deviate Sexual Assault with a bond of $100,000 through St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. He is currently being detained at St. Charles County Jail facility.
In This article
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St. Peters Justice Center
1020 Grand Teton Dr, Saint Peters, MO -
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City of O'Fallon
100 N Main St, O Fallon, MO -
St. Peters City Hall
1 Saint Peters Centre Blvd, Saint Peters, MO
Donya
12:47 pm on Monday, June 25, 2012
I mean really, women going to a man for hair removal on the private area!! I wouldn't feel comfortable with that at any age!
Bobbi
2:47 pm on Monday, June 25, 2012
But, a woman should be able to go to ANYONE who is licensed to perform this type of procedure and not be sexually assaulted!
Jayne D.
7:35 am on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Yes women should be able to go to anyone and not be sexually assaulted however I agree there is no way in hell I'd let a man do my hair removal!!!
Sarah Hill
3:13 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
I have been a client of Mr. Branam's for over six years. I am a young attractive women and had never had an issue with him. He has been nothing but professional. I had akin tightening on my chest and a full laser below. Front and back. He has seen it all. And nothing. I feel extremely sorry for him and his family for the harsh allegations. The truth will come out.
Marvin Haberthier
8:47 am on Saturday, May 4, 2013
All four of these women have made valid points. I commend Sarah Hill for defending someone she believes is innocent. I suspect that the 17 women making complaints were getting underarm, leg, and bikini line treatments to enable them to wear garments like swimsuits and miniskirts with minimal coverage undergarments in an aesthetically pleasing way. That's what laser hair removal is all about.
Apparently none of the victims gave their consent because unlike a "full laser below" that requires genital area contact, there was no justifiable reason to be touched inappropriately.
Since 17 victims so far have come forth no one can say this is a "He said, she said." incident involving one victim.
I urge everyone to go to the Start By Believing Website and view the slide show. Thanks to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) funding is now available to educate and spread awareness of sexual violence against women. We all need to start believing victims!