Sac Co. chiropractor arrested on several sexual assault charges
A Sacramento County chiropractor is facing multiple sexual assault charges after being accused of forcing himself on a woman several months ago, authorities said. Investigators are now asking for help in the investigation.Michael Ruiz, 55, was arrested on Sunday, the Sacramento Police Department said in a release on Tuesday. Court documents from Sacramento County show the assault happened on March 18. Authorities said Ruiz has been working as a chiropractor in several different locations across Sacramento County. It’s not clear if the victim was a client. However, one of the charges against him includes that he did these sexual acts under the pretense that it was part of his job.Ruiz still has a valid license, according to the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners website. The California Department of Consumer Affairs said in a statement to KCRA 3 on behalf of the board said they are “aware of and looking into the matter.” “Consumer protection is the top priority of the Board. Consumers with concerns or complaints are encouraged to contact the Board and file a complaint so it can be investigated,” the California Department of Consumer Affairs said. Julie Bornhoeft, Chief Strategy Officer at Sacramento County’s rape crisis center WEAVE, told KCRA 3 that she has dealt with many cases where the perpetrator is in a position of power, which makes the assault even more traumatizing because there is often a trusted and professional relationship there. Bornhoeft also said that it is possible that there could be more victims. “There’s a possibility that someone was embarrassed, was concerned they wouldn’t be believed,” Bornhoeft said. “It’s not uncommon to second-guess that maybe what happened wasn’t sexual assault, and so when a case like this comes forward, there could very well be others saying, ‘Oh, that happened to me too.'”Bornhoeft added that some victims may feel uncomfortable going to law enforcement, so she encouraged them to seek out organizations such as WEAVE, which stands for, “When We All Act, Violence Ends.” Bornhoeft said they have a 24-hour support line available at 916-920-2952.Any community member with information is urged to contact the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office Sexual and Elder Abuse Bureau at 916-874-5070 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at 916-443-HELP.Ruiz was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail. He was released on $170,000 bail the following day, authorities said. Ruiz appeared in court on Wednesday for arraignment.
A Sacramento County chiropractor is facing multiple sexual assault charges after being accused of forcing himself on a woman several months ago, authorities said. Investigators are now asking for help in the investigation.
Michael Ruiz, 55, was arrested on Sunday, the Sacramento Police Department said in a release on Tuesday. Court documents from Sacramento County show the assault happened on March 18.
Authorities said Ruiz has been working as a chiropractor in several different locations across Sacramento County. It’s not clear if the victim was a client. However, one of the charges against him includes that he did these sexual acts under the pretense that it was part of his job.
Ruiz still has a valid license, according to the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners website. The California Department of Consumer Affairs said in a statement to KCRA 3 on behalf of the board said they are “aware of and looking into the matter.”
“Consumer protection is the top priority of the Board. Consumers with concerns or complaints are encouraged to contact the Board and file a complaint so it can be investigated,” the California Department of Consumer Affairs said.
Julie Bornhoeft, Chief Strategy Officer at Sacramento County’s rape crisis center WEAVE, told KCRA 3 that she has dealt with many cases where the perpetrator is in a position of power, which makes the assault even more traumatizing because there is often a trusted and professional relationship there.
Bornhoeft also said that it is possible that there could be more victims.
“There’s a possibility that someone was embarrassed, was concerned they wouldn’t be believed,” Bornhoeft said. “It’s not uncommon to second-guess that maybe what happened wasn’t sexual assault, and so when a case like this comes forward, there could very well be others saying, ‘Oh, that happened to me too.'”
Bornhoeft added that some victims may feel uncomfortable going to law enforcement, so she encouraged them to seek out organizations such as WEAVE, which stands for, “When We All Act, Violence Ends.” Bornhoeft said they have a 24-hour support line available at 916-920-2952.
Any community member with information is urged to contact the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office Sexual and Elder Abuse Bureau at 916-874-5070 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at 916-443-HELP.
Ruiz was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail. He was released on $170,000 bail the following day, authorities said. Ruiz appeared in court on Wednesday for arraignment.
