LUCAS COUNTY, OH (WTOL) - A doctor convicted of inappropriately touching his female patients was sentenced Friday to six months in jail and four years probation.
Wednesday, Dr. Jake Heiney of Cutting Edge Orthopedics was found guilty on two counts of gross sexual imposition at his Sylvania practice and one count of tampering with medical records.
Two of his female patients say Heiney made them take their clothes off and then fondled them during exams after they complained of shoulder and hip pain.
Friday, Judge Gene Zmuda sentenced Heiney to six months at the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio (CCNO) based on the charge of tampering with patient records and four years probation based on the two charges of gross sexual imposition.
Judge Zmuda told Heiney at sentencing that "there is no justification for your lying and tampering with records, none. You shall never be a doctor."
Once he fulfills his jail sentence, Heiney will be required to attend a 90-day work release program and pay a $5,000 fine.
Heiney is also now classified as a tier-1 sex offender and will have to register his address for the next 15 years.
In addition to this, he will have to complete 200 hours of community service.
"It was not a priority for the victims in this case to see him go to prison they just wanted to make sure no one else could get hurt," said prosecuting attorney Lindsay Navarre.
Heiney's defense team was also pleased with the sentence, but still believes he was wrongfully convicted on false allegations.
"I talked to doctors since this verdict has come in and they are all panicking as to what steps they need to take to protect themselves. It costs a lot of money to have someone sitting there to protect you, this is a very scary society," said defense attorney Lorin Zaner.
The defense does plan to appeal the case. However, a judge denied their request for Heiney to be released on an appellate bond.
Heiney's attorneys continue to work on another trial against him scheduled for April in Monroe, Michigan, where Heiney faces four charges of criminal sexual conduct.
