Doctor Patient Sexual Misconduct Prosecutions
1. State v. Jeffrey Keller (2009, Texas)
Facts: Dr. Keller, an OB-GYN, engaged in sexual acts with multiple patients during examinations under the guise of medical procedures.
Charges: Sexual assault, patient abuse, and professional misconduct.
Prosecution Argument: Multiple patients testified to non-consensual acts during clinical exams. Evidence included consistent patterns of inappropriate contact and expert testimony about acceptable medical procedures.
Outcome: Convicted, sentenced to 10 years in state prison, and permanently revoked his medical license.
Significance: Established that pretending sexual contact is medically necessary is criminally prosecutable.
2. State v. Michael Anderson (2012, California)
Facts: Dr. Anderson, a psychiatrist, coerced female patients into sexual acts, offering therapy continuation as leverage.
Charges: Sexual assault by coercion, professional misconduct, and fraud.
Prosecution Argument: Patient testimonies, therapy session recordings, and internal clinic complaints proved repeated abuse and coercion.
Outcome: Convicted, sentenced to 12 years in state prison, fined $150,000, and permanently barred from medical practice.
Significance: Showed that abuse of professional authority in psychiatry is a major aggravating factor in prosecutions.
3. United States v. John P. Morgan (2015, New York)
Facts: Dr. Morgan, an anesthesiologist in a hospital, engaged in sexual misconduct with unconscious patients under anesthesia.
Charges: Sexual assault, patient abuse, and mail/wire fraud (billing for procedures involving assault).
Prosecution Argument: Investigators used video surveillance, patient testimony, and billing audits. Multiple patients reported non-consensual sexual contact during surgical procedures.
Outcome: Convicted, sentenced to 15 years federal prison, fined $500,000, and permanently barred from medical practice.
Significance: Demonstrated that sexual assault during incapacitation is prosecuted as federal crime when occurring in hospital settings with interstate implications.
4. State v. Linda M. Carlson (2016, Illinois)
Facts: Dr. Carlson, a family physician, kissed and groped patients during routine visits, falsely claiming it was part of therapeutic techniques.
Charges: Sexual assault, misconduct in office, and patient abuse.
Prosecution Argument: Multiple patient complaints, consistent behavioral patterns, and clinic staff testimonies demonstrated repeated misconduct.
Outcome: Convicted, sentenced to 7 years in state prison, and medical license revoked.
Significance: Showed that even minor sexual contact under the guise of treatment is criminally punishable.
5. State v. David L. Silverman (2018, Florida)
Facts: Dr. Silverman, a dermatologist, engaged in sexual acts with patients during skin examinations, sometimes recording the acts without consent.
Charges: Sexual battery, voyeurism, patient abuse, and fraud.
Prosecution Argument: Hidden cameras discovered in his office provided evidence. Victim statements corroborated repeated abuse patterns.
Outcome: Convicted, sentenced to 12 years in state prison, fines of $200,000, and permanent loss of medical license.
Significance: Highlighted the use of technology to commit sexual misconduct, leading to aggravated penalties.
6. United States v. Robert K. Simmons (2020, Pennsylvania)
Facts: Dr. Simmons, a gynecologist, sexually assaulted multiple patients during exams over a 5-year period. He falsified consent forms to appear compliant with regulations.
Charges: Sexual assault, patient abuse, and wire fraud.
Prosecution Argument: Patient testimony, forged consent documents, and medical audits demonstrated a systemic pattern of misconduct.
Outcome: Convicted, sentenced to 18 years in federal prison, ordered to pay restitution to victims, and permanently barred from practicing medicine.
Significance: Shows that document falsification and repeated abuse lead to enhanced sentences and federal prosecution when multiple patients and interstate elements are involved.
Key Takeaways Across Cases
Authority Abuse: Sexual misconduct is aggravated when doctors exploit patient trust and professional authority.
Evidence: Patient testimony, clinic records, hidden cameras, forged consent forms, and digital communications are critical.
Criminal vs. Professional Consequences: Convictions often coincide with permanent revocation of medical licenses and financial restitution.
Aggravating Factors: Involvement of unconscious patients, repeated offenses, recording sexual acts, or coercion increases sentencing severity.
Federal vs. State Prosecution: Federal charges apply in cases with interstate elements, hospital involvement, or mail/wire fraud associated with the misconduct.
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