Alleged rape victim wants 'just due'
STAFF REPORTS Gulf Breeze News news@gulfbreezenews.com

One alleged victim of the accused Nail Spa rapist has come forward, detailing her frustration with the state funded victim's assistance programs and local attorneys. The alleged victim also claims the accused sex offender is yet to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS or HIV.

The alleged victim, "Shelley," who wished to remain anonymous, said she received little response from the state provided victim's advocate and no compensation for her medical bills or lost wages more than four months after the offending incident. She also said, after making close to 100 phone calls to local attorneys, that she was unable to find an attorney willing to take on a civil case against the accused for punitive damages.

"No one wants to take my case," she says. "It's a never ending cycle. They all tell me 'Our firm doesn't handle that kind of case.'"

The purported victim says that the accused rapist should be tested immediately for any sexually transmitted diseases.

"We are in the process of filing a petition to compel that he be tested for the presence of any sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV," Greg Marcille with the state attorney's office said. "Shelley" is frustrated that the process is so slow, and says she is already experiencing maladies related to the alleged attack. She says she has repeatedly requested the testing and cannot imagine that four months after the attack they are still "working on" a petition.

The avouched victim also claims that despite her best effort, she's been denied access to other persons supposedly violated by the accused salon owner. "No one who has not experienced something as horrific as a rape could possibly understand what it is like to go through this," she asserts. "It would help so much if those of us willing to get together were brought together to talk through what we have been through. This man was a serial rapist."

"We don't do that," said Sgt. Scott Haines with the Santa Rosa Sheriff's Office. "Victim information is kept confidential, unless it may help us catch the suspect. It's extremely rare that someone who's been through something that traumatic would want to share their experiences."

Haines also said that victim financial assistance is available through both the state attorney's office and the sheriff's office. Although victims cannot receive double compensation, they may prefer one group to another, Haines said.

"If she feels like she hasn't been helped, she hasn't extended herself to the proper agencies," Haines explained. "[The Santa Rosa Sheriff's Office has] an excellent victim's assistance division. They are very professional and very helpful. If there is funding available, they will help get that funding to that person."

Marcille said his office has processed the alleged victim's paperwork and that the transaction can be time consuming.

"Our victim advocate has met with her," Marcille said, describing the process that reimburses rape victims' medical expenses. "All similar applications go through the [State] Attorney General's Office and it can take some time. We will continue to work with her to obtain reimbursement."

The owner of Nail Spa Company, Tanh Van "Victor" Ho, 39, was arrested on felony charges of sexual assault in November. Ho currently faces three felony sexual assault charges and one misdemeanor battery charge for unlawful touching.

At least three female victims came forward as a result of the media coverage stemming from the first incident. One female victim stated that she came to Ho's salon, located at 3088 Gulf Breeze Parkway, for a manicure and a pedicure. Ho recommended that the victim also have her eyebrows waxed. He then took the victim to a back room and had her lie on a table.

After waxing the victim's eyebrows, Ho told her that she would also receive a complimentary massage with her eyebrow wax. Ho then began to inappropriately touch the female patron, leading to a sexual assault. The victim attempted to exit the room but found that the door was locked. She was finally able to get out of the room, but was afraid to report the assault at the time it occurred. Ho was arrested Nov. 2 for a sexual assault that occurred at the same location with a different patron.

The first complainant said she also was taken into the rear room of the business for an eyebrow wax. She said Ho began to touch her inappropriately, and tried to leave but found the door locked. Ho allegedly grabbed the victim, forcing her arms behind her back and pushing her onto a table. The complainant said Ho sexually assaulted her. She was able to gather her clothes and flee from the store. Additional victims came forward and the criminal investigation is ongoing. Anyone with similar encounters is asked to contact Detective Paul Lio at (850) 934- 4029.

Ho is currently being held at the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond. The State Attorney's Office confirmed the first trial would begin in April.