By Brian Kelly
Herald Writer
COUPEVILLE — A mental health counselor who had offices in Freeland and Oak Harbor was found guilty Monday of taking indecent liberties with a female patient.
Glenn W. Jolley, 58, was also found innocent on a charge of attempted indecent liberties, and the Island County Superior Court jury was not able to reach a decision on a charge of second-degree rape.
"We’re pleased about the conviction on the indecent liberties and obviously would have liked convictions on the other counts. But we’re satisfied with the verdict," said Mike Henegen, Island County deputy prosecuting attorney.
"It’s obvious the jury took their duty to weigh the evidence very seriously," he said.
Eight women had told police that Jolley had abused his trust as a counselor and preyed upon them sexually, or sexually harassed them, while they were his patients.
In the incident that led to the guilty verdict for indecent liberties, a 42-year-old woman said Jolley fondled her breasts and other parts of her body during a counseling session. She had been his patient for roughly six months. She had been getting counseling because of past sexual and mental abuse.
In the attempted indecent liberties incident, Jolley allegedly gave hugs and back rubs to a female patient, and in the alleged rape case, prosecutors claimed Jolley raped a 15-year-old girl in 1994 while giving her a ride home from a counseling session.
Sentencing has been scheduled for Dec. 21.
The standard sentencing range is 15 to 20 months. The prosecutor’s office will likely recommend a sentence near the top of the range, Henegen said.
The state Department of Health in July charged Jolley with unprofessional conduct because of alleged abuse or sexual contact with a client and sexual misconduct.
You can call Herald Writer Brian Kelly at 425-339-3422 or send e-mail to kelly@heraldnet.com.
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