BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) — Dr. Jonathan Yates, the former Whole Health Director at the Beckley VA Medical Center (VAMC), was arrested in connection with an FBI investigation. The case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia on Tuesday, March 31, 2020.
Dr. Yates is accused of Deprivation of Rights Under Color of the Law under Title 18 of the U.S. Code § 242. Court documents say this resulted in bodily injury and kidnapping.
Dr. Yates is a doctor of osteopathic medicine. He performed osteopathic manipulation therapy (OMT) at the Beckley VAMC. He worked at the VA from April 2018 to June 2019.
The FBI investigation began in June 2019 after based on allegations from patients at the Beckley VAMC that Dr. Yates had sexually abused them. A total of four veterans were involved in the investigation.
The charges against Dr. Yates involved an appointment on Feb. 20, 2019. The victim is a U.S. Army veteran with a 100-percent service-connected disability. According to court documents he was seeking a referral to continue massage therapy.
The victim told investigators Dr. Yates locked them in an examination room and performed questionable acts during the treatment. This included immobilizing the veteran with a neck crack the victim had specifically instructed Dr. Yates not to perform.
Investigators referenced VA Medical Records and spoke with an independent expert in osteopathic manipulative treatment. Based on the testimony of the four veterans, the expert told investigators several of the treatments described were not legitimate.
At least two of the veterans in the investigation are being represented by a civil attorney.
