FAST FACTS:
(Memphis 10/12/2009) A Collierville doctor is accused of fondling a woman under hypnosis.
Dr. John O'Connell was released on his own recognizance. He faces a charge of Sexual Battery.
The alleged victim was a co-worker of his at the Lakeside Behavioral Health Center. She told authorities she was trying to kick a smoking habit.
"She got into a conversation with the doctor who indicated he could give here a hypnosis lesson to help her stop smoking," said Steve Shular, spokesperson for the Shelby County Sheriff's Dept.
The woman accepted the offer. Court papers state the first session seemed to help, so when O'Connell approached her a few days later for a second one, she agreed. Except this time he offered to take her to his satellite office in Lakeland.
In his own statement to detectives, Dr. O'Connell admits to hypnotizing the woman at his "satellite office," which was loacted at the Relax Inn on Canada Road.
Manager Mike Patel tells WREG there is no such office at his motel. "They'd be lucky enough to get Wi-Fi here," he said.
Court papers state the victim was hypnotized while she was lying on the bed.
"He took off her socks and shoes, that later led to her shirt," said Shular.
Court papers state Dr. O'Connell repeated "You are very relaxed and will not remember this when you wake up" to the alleged victim. She says he then fondled her breast.
"She was aware, she said, that something was going on, she couldn't control it, couldn't stop it," said Shular.
Dr. O'Connell told detectives the woman allowed him to pull her shirt up and massage her shoulders and back with lotion. He says when he offered to take off her bra, she said no and he obliged.
Two weeks later he admits to calling her to apologize.
State records show the 32-year veteran doctor has never been disciplined before.
He could spend a maximum of 6 years behind bars. He was a contracted employee at Lakeside. A spokesperson says he is now no longer working there.
- Dr. John O'Connell charged with Sexual Battery
- Alleged victim says he touched her inappropriately after he hypnotized her
- Alleged victim was trying to kick a smoking habit
(Memphis 10/12/2009) A Collierville doctor is accused of fondling a woman under hypnosis.
Dr. John O'Connell was released on his own recognizance. He faces a charge of Sexual Battery.
The alleged victim was a co-worker of his at the Lakeside Behavioral Health Center. She told authorities she was trying to kick a smoking habit.
"She got into a conversation with the doctor who indicated he could give here a hypnosis lesson to help her stop smoking," said Steve Shular, spokesperson for the Shelby County Sheriff's Dept.
The woman accepted the offer. Court papers state the first session seemed to help, so when O'Connell approached her a few days later for a second one, she agreed. Except this time he offered to take her to his satellite office in Lakeland.
In his own statement to detectives, Dr. O'Connell admits to hypnotizing the woman at his "satellite office," which was loacted at the Relax Inn on Canada Road.
Manager Mike Patel tells WREG there is no such office at his motel. "They'd be lucky enough to get Wi-Fi here," he said.
Court papers state the victim was hypnotized while she was lying on the bed.
"He took off her socks and shoes, that later led to her shirt," said Shular.
Court papers state Dr. O'Connell repeated "You are very relaxed and will not remember this when you wake up" to the alleged victim. She says he then fondled her breast.
"She was aware, she said, that something was going on, she couldn't control it, couldn't stop it," said Shular.
Dr. O'Connell told detectives the woman allowed him to pull her shirt up and massage her shoulders and back with lotion. He says when he offered to take off her bra, she said no and he obliged.
Two weeks later he admits to calling her to apologize.
State records show the 32-year veteran doctor has never been disciplined before.
He could spend a maximum of 6 years behind bars. He was a contracted employee at Lakeside. A spokesperson says he is now no longer working there.
