Defense: Highland Park cops misled grand jury in sex assault case
A defense attorney for a Highland Park chiropractor facing allegations of sexually assaulting a client this year says detectives misled a grand jury in order to obtain charges.
Defense attorney Steven McCullom filed motions in Lake County court Wednesday saying detectives gave false and misleading statements to a grand jury in order to obtain an indictment against Kevin G. Dutton, 38, of Chicago.
Dutton is charged with one count of criminal sexual assault and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse after inappropriately touching a patient June 12, authorities said.
The motion requests the charges be dropped.
"We continue to feel this indictment was in error, and we are maintaining he is not guilty of this," McCullom said after Wednesday's court hearing in front of Judge Daniel Shanes.
The motion for dismissal also alleges all actions performed by Dutton on the victim were completed for medical purposes only.
Highland Park Police officials said a 22-year-old Lake Forest woman complained Dutton touched her inappropriately during a chiropractic treatment at the Wellness Circle on the 800 block of Central Avenue.
Dutton worked at the fitness center as an independent contractor, officials said, and turned himself into police after an arrest warrant was issued June 19.
Dutton remains free from custody after posting the required 10 percent of his $100,000 bail. As part of his bond restrictions, he is ordered to not have any contact with the victim.
After Dutton's arrest was publicized, three other women came forward and said they had been sexually abused by the chiropractor.
Assistant State's Attorney Lauren Kalcheim-Rothenberg did not comment after Wednesday's hearing.
If found guilty at trial, Dutton could be sentenced to 4 to 15 years in prison, authorities said.
Anyone with information on similar attacks should contact the Lake County State's Attorney's Office at (847) 377-3000, or the Highland Park Police Department at (847) 432-7730.