Indiana psychologist Michael York charged with sexually abusing male patient

September 3, 2013

LOUISVILLE, KY - A Louisville-based psychologist has been charged with sexually abusing a patient.

Louisville Metro Police announced Thursday that Michael York, 49, of Clarksville, Indiana had been charged with first-degree sexual abuse. The Class D felony charge comes after police said a patient of York's reported being sexually assaulted by the psychologist on August 21 inside his office at 214 Breckenridge Lane.

According to a police report obtained by WAVE 3 News, the victim told police he had been undergoing medical treatment in York's office at the time of the assault. The victim claimed while in an unconscious state, York groped him and committed a sexual act.

"The victim obviously was alarmed and knew that he'd been assaulted," said Officer Carey Klain, a LMPD spokesperson.

The report goes on to detail that the victim would not have consented to the sexual act had he been alert, yet somehow "captured above incident via an audio/video recording device."

"The victim did present to the detectives, as it says in the citation, "some video and information," said Officer Klain. "There was enough probable cause that they have effected this arrest."

Police would not elaborate on the video evidence for fear it could hinder the prosecution's case. However, officers said when they arrested York, they also searched his office and removed some of its contents.

"The detectives have done a search warrant on that location and again that evidence will be processed and used in the investigation for the prosecution of the case," said Officer Klain. "We have this one victim. At this point we don't have any other allegations."

According to the Kentucky Board of Examiners of Psychology, York had been issued a certification as an alcohol and drug counselor in 2000, but his Kentucky state license expired in 2005.

According to Louisville Metro Department of Corrections, York arrived at jail at 2:48 p.m. Wednesday and was released on his own recognizance at 10:01 p.m. the same day.

As detectives continue to investigate York's practice and licensing history, they said more charges could be filed if it is determined York had been practicing psychology without a valid license.

York is set to be arraigned in court at the Hall of Justice on Tuesday, September 3.

Source: Cedra Mayfield, "Psychologist charged with sexually abusing patient," WAVE-3 News, August 29, 2013