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Former Beckley VA doctor indicted on sexual molestation, abuse charges

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A former doctor at the Beckley Veteran Affairs Medical Center has been indicted for allegedly sexually molesting and abusing his patients.

Dr. Jonathan Yates, 51, faces five counts of depriving veterans of their civil rights under the color of law and two counts of abusive sexual contact.

Jonathan Yates

A federal grand jury in Charleston handed down the indictment on Tuesday. The indictment alleges Yates sexually molested six male patients, in which he temporarily immobilized two of the veterans by cracking one person’s neck and using acupuncture needles on someone else. The indictment also notes the actions caused five of the veterans further bodily injury.

Yates allegedly engaged in “sexual contact” with two of the veterans without their consent.

The alleged incidents happened between September 2018 and February 2019.

Yates would face a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted.





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