Published: 2011-06-16 15:21:33
Author: Evamarie Socha
No sooner had police on Tuesday questioned a chiropractor about his alleged sexual assault of a 55-year-old woman than he allegedly committed the same offense against a 31-year-old pregnant woman after police left his Front Street practice.
Milton police on Wednesday morning arrested Dr. James Lee Carl, 35, of 1254 White Hall Road, Turbotville, and charged him with three counts of indecent assault without consent and one count of indecent exposure, all misdemeanors. He was arraigned before District Judge Robert Bolton and sent to Northumberland County Prison in lieu of $125,000 bail.
According to an affidavit filed by Milton police, the first female victim came to police about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, claiming that during a scheduled appointment about an hour earlier, Carl had sexually assaulted her.
The victim told police the office was empty except for Carl. Sometime after Carl began treatment, he asked the victim to roll onto her back and began to rub lotion on her chest. When the victim questioned his actions, Carl told her this was a treatment for congestive heart failure and to relax.
The victim said she closed her eyes and allowed Carl to continue treatment until she felt a sharp pain on her chest and Carl’s hand rubbing her genitals. She opened her eyes to find Carl’s mouth on her chest, the affidavit states.
The victim said at this time, she saw Carl’s genitals exposed. When she confronted Carl’s actions, he asked the victim to touch him; when she said no, he allegedly rubbed his genitals against her leg. The victim said she then gathered her belongings and fled the office without paying, going to Milton police who took at two-page written statement from her.
While the first victim was taken to Evangelical Community Hospital for examination by a sexual assault nurse examiner, Milton police went to Carl’s office. He agreed to speak to them and said he had no problems with patients that day.
When asked to guess why police wanted to talk to him, Carl said he didn’t’ know, but began to tell them he used to have his patients disrobe and wear gowns for treatment, because “his practice is very hands on and touch-oriented,” the affidavit states.