| For Immediate Release Case # 07WF1149 September 11, 2007 |
Contact: Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 |
ACUPUNCTURIST CHARGED WITH SEXUALLY ASSAULTING WOMAN BY PRETENDING IT WAS MEDICAL TREATMENT
*The Orange County District Attorney is asking for people with additional information to come forward
WESTMINSTER – The Orange County District Attorney’s office is asking for anyone with additional information to come forward in the case of a Garden Grove acupuncturist charged with sexually assaulting a patient while pretending to be treating her for back pain. Kyoung Seok Jeon, 56, Buena Park, is charged with two felony counts of sexual battery by fraud and one felony count of sexual penetration by means of fraudulent representation of professional purpose. If convicted on all charges he faces a maximum sentence of eight years and eight months in prison. Jeon is out on $100,000 bail and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for November 6, 2007 at 8:30 a.m. in Department W-14, West Justice Center, Westminster.
Jeon was working as an acupuncturist at Hye Min, a clinic that he owned at 9872 Chapman Avenue in Garden Grove. On January 21, 2007, 38-year-old Jane Doe was suffering from back pain and went to see Jeon for treatment. On January 22, 2007, Jane Doe returned to the defendant for additional treatment. Jeon is accused of having the victim remove her bra and massaging her breasts, claiming that it was part of the treatment. Jeon is accused of asking her to return the next day for an herbal treatment, and touching her breasts and digitally penetrating her while pretending that it was part of her medical therapy. Jane Doe told her husband about the sexual assault, and the couple contacted the Garden Grove Police Department.
“The victim trusted her body to this man because she believed that he was trying to help her. Instead he violated her and took advantage of his position of trust,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Kal Kaliban of the Sexual Assault Unit, who is prosecuting this case.
“We know it is difficult for women in the Korean community to talk about being victimized. I urge any other person who has been victimized to come forward and report what happened to them,” stated Public Affairs Counsel Susan Kang Schroeder.
Anyone with additional information or who believes they may have been a victim is encouraged to call Supervising District Attorney Investigator Tim Craig at (714) 347-8558.
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