MOUNT VERNON — A Skagit County jury found a longtime Mount Vernon massage therapist not guilty of felony indecent liberties, a charge leveled against him after a massage he gave more than a year ago.

Ross Scott, 56, of Mount Vernon, testified Wednesday morning that he never touched any of his clients in a sexually inappropriate way. The jury apparently agreed in the particular case of a 42-year-old female client and a massage Scott gave her on July 2, 2008.

Skagit County Prosecuting Attorney Rich Weyrich had said during the two-day trial that Scott had unzipped his pants during the massage and touched himself and his client inappropriately.

The case had relied largely on circumstantial evidence, because the alleged victim didn’t look up and see anything inappropriate; she only heard and felt what she believed was inappropriate contact.

Scott was charged with felony indecent liberties as a health care provider, a Class B felony. His trial in Skagit County Superior Court began Tuesday.

Scott is a co-owner of Alternative Health Center in downtown Mount Vernon. His license to practice remains suspended.

Scott had been practicing massage therapy without a license since it expired in October 2004, according to the state Health Department. Scott’s attorney, George Freeman, said the department lost Scott’s renewal check in 2004, so he didn’t receive a notice to renew his license in 2006.

Tahlia Ganser can be reached at 360-416-2148 or at .