CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A former doctor at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Beckley admitted on Thursday to sexually abusing patients during exams.
Jonathan Yates, 51, of Bluefield, Virginia, pleaded guilty to three counts of depriving veterans of their civil rights under color of law by sexually abusing them.
Yates admitted in court he rubbed the genitals of two veterans and digitally penetrated a third veteran’s rectum without any legitimate medical purpose. The veterans were seeking to manage chronic pain through osteopathic manipulative therapy, but Yates’ actions caused additional pain.
Yates was indicted in May for sexually molesting six patients. The incidents happened between September 2018 and February 2019.
“What occurred at the Beckley VA Medical Center is particularly despicable because this abuse was at the hands of a doctor who was entrusted with providing compassionate and supportive care to veterans,” VA Inspector General Michael Missal said in a statement.
“The result today was due to the tireless and dedicated efforts of the VA OIG investigators and our law enforcement partners. This doctor will no longer be able to prey on the trust of those who have dedicated their lives in service to our nation.”
Yates faces a maximum sentence of 30 years of prison. His sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 4, 2021.