Acupuncturist allegedly sexually abused patients, police say

EVERETT — An acupuncturist was arrested this week for investigation of sexually abusing patients at his Everett-area practice and claiming the conduct was treatment.

Kuo Ching Yee, 79, of Mercer Island, has touched female patients inappropriately, sucked on their breasts and engaged in other unwelcome sexual conduct, according to a police report and a search warrant filed in the Everett Division of Snohomish County District Court.

He was booked into the county jail in Everett on Wednesday for investigation of three counts of indecent liberties.

It’s the second time that Yee has faced sexual misconduct allegations since being licensed to practice acupuncture in 1986, records show.

Between 1990 and 1992, the state Department of Health investigated reports that Yee had inappropriately touched female patients, asked them about their sex lives and engaged in other unwelcome conduct. Yee kept his license after entering a 1992 agreement with state regulators. Among other conditions, he sought a sexual deviancy evaluation and agreed to only treat female patients in the presence of a woman who could monitor his conduct.

Snohomish County sheriff’s detective Lars Teigen learned that Yee has had a monitor on staff but the woman has not always been present when he was treating patients and has health problems that limit her mobility.

One of the women Yee now is accused of mistreating told the detective she went to the acupuncturist for treatment from 1998 to 2012, according to the police report. She described three incidents where she believes she was sexually assaulted by Yee.

The woman “stated the sexual interactions were uncomfortable and not consensual, but happened because Dr. Yee stated they were part of her treatment,” the police report said.

In an April 8 affidavit filed for to obtain a search warrant for Yee’s offices, the detective said the woman stopped seeing the acupuncturist after it became clear his actions were not intended to be treatment. She decided to come forward with the allegations after reflecting on what she says happened.

The state Department of Health also has opened a new investigation of Yee, the affidavit said.

With a judge’s permission, detectives on Wednesday seized records Yee kept on some of his patients, court papers show.

Among other things, the investigators are looking for evidence of how well Yee complied with the state’s requirements that he not treat women without a monitor.

“Failure to comply with Department of Health requirements which were imposed because of very similar allegations would be strong evidence of Dr. Yee’s ongoing pattern of misconduct as described” by the woman, Teigen wrote.

The detective said in his police report that he has received witness statements from four people about Yee’s alleged misbehavior and lack of compliance.

“I spoke with multiple other witnesses that were too distressed to make an official statement or whose statements have not been returned to me yet,” Teigen wrote.

Scott North: 425-339-3431, north@heraldnet.com

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.