| For Immediate Release Case #10CM07420
August 5, 2011 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
MAN SENTENCED FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING WOMAN WHILE PRETENDING TO GIVE ACUPRESSURE THERAPY
SANTA ANA – A man was sentenced today for sexually assaulting a woman in his Santa Ana home under the pretense of performing acupressure therapy. Thuan Van Nguyen, 56, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury July 13, 2011, of one misdemeanor count of sexual battery by fraud and two misdemeanor counts of sexual battery. He was sentenced to 180 days in jail, three years formal probation, and is required to register as a sex offender.
On July 3, 2010, 38-year-old Jane Doe went to the Nguyen’s Santa Ana home to receive acupressure therapy. The victim’s mother had met Nguyen at a pharmacy in Westminster, where he claimed to be able to help her and the victim with their physical ailments by providing acupressure treatment.
Nguyen took the victim into a bedroom, which contained no medical or massage equipment, and instructed Jane Doe to remove her shirt and lie on her stomach. He massaged the victim’s back and then began to rub her breasts. The startled victim got up and left the room.
Nguyen followed Jane Doe and convinced her to return to the room by claiming that she would end up with arthritis and back problems if she did not complete her treatment. He then had the victim lie on her back and continued to sexually assault her by fondling her breasts and vaginal area and rubbing his pelvis against hers. The defendant told Jane Doe that the touching was part of the treatment.
Jane Doe reported the sexual assault to the Santa Ana Police Department the following day.
Deputy District Attorney Brad Schoenleben prosecuted this case.
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