A Clark County acupuncturist who denies raping a female patient in September 2014 conceded on Thursday that he had sexual contact with her.
Kooyeoll K. “Eric” Jung, 55, of Camas pleaded guilty in Clark County Superior Court to one count of indecent liberties in connection with the incident at his Vancouver acupuncture office, 201 S.E. 124th Ave.
He initially faced two counts of second-degree rape, in addition to the indecent liberties charge. However, in exchange for his guilty plea, the other counts were dismissed.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Jung had sexual contact with a 51-year-old woman inside a treatment room. The woman was sitting on a table wearing a treatment gown and pants when Jung pulled her off the table, restrained her and proceeded to have sexual contact with her.
Jung confessed to the sexual contact during an interview with Vancouver police on Oct. 20, 2014, court records said.
State health officials suspended Jung’s East Asian medicine practitioner license in December after he was criminally charged. He had received the license from the Washington Department of Health in August 2000. Health officials had not taken any previous enforcement action against Jung’s license, according to Columbian archives. Jung has no prior criminal history.
His defense attorney, Erin McAleer, said Jung has been an acupuncturist for about 20 years. McAleer said it’s likely state health officials will revoke Jung’s license once the case wraps up.
Jung faces a standard range of 15 to 20 months in prison. Deputy Prosector James Smith said he is recommending Jung serve 15 months. He is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 15. A pre-sentencing investigation will be conducted.
Jung, who had been out on bail since November, was jailed after the hearing.
