Former veterans affairs doctor indicted on civil rights, sexual abuse charges

FILE – In this Nov. 28, 2018, file photo, the Department of Justice seal is seen in Washington, D.C. An internet firm is ending the automated registration…

FILE – In this Nov. 28, 2018, file photo, the Department of Justice seal is seen in Washington, D.C. An internet firm is ending the automated registration of website names that include words or phrases related to the COVID-19 pandemic, in an attempt to combat coronavirus-related fraud. Los Angeles-based Namecheap Inc. made the pledge after a federal judge in Texas on Sunday, March 22, 2020, ordered the takedown of a website the U.S. Department of Justice accused of stealing credit card information while offering fake coronavirus vaccine kits. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

Posted: May 12, 2020 / 05:59 PM EDT

Updated: May 12, 2020 / 05:59 PM EDT

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) – A federal grand jury returned a seven-count indictment today charging a doctor who formerly worked at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Beckley with federal civil rights and abusive sexual contact offenses.

Dr. Jonathan Yates, 51, a doctor of osteopathic medicine, was charged with five counts of depriving veterans of their civil rights under color of law and two counts of abusive sexual contact.

He was previously charged in a criminal complaint with depriving a veteran of his civil rights under color of law.

The indictment alleges between September 2018 and February 2019, while working at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Yates sexually molested six men during medical examinations.

“The indictment alleges that Yates temporarily immobilized two of the veterans – one by cracking his neck, and the other with the use of acupuncture needles – and sexually molested them while they were incapacitated,” a statement sent to 13 News says. “The indictment also alleges that his abuses caused five of the veterans to suffer bodily injury.”

If convicted, Yates faces a statutory maximum sentence of life in prison.

This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5342).