Police arrest Newport Beach chiropractor for sexual battery

Greg Risling

NEWPORT BEACH -- A 42-year-old chiropractor was arrested Thursday

afternoon after two of his female patients claimed he touched them

inappropriately during their visits.

Police served an arrest warrant on Steven Wesley Lovell of Newport Beach

at his Riverside Avenue office. He is charged with two felony counts of

sexual battery. Bail was set at $25,000.

Lovell will be arraigned today in Harbor Justice Center.

The two women who made the claims against their doctor were being treated

for back injuries when police said Lovell would touch them in a sexual

nature. The two incidents were seven months apart, with the most recent

within the last month. Police do not believe the victims know each other.

“Their stories have similar circumstances,” said Newport Beach Sgt. Mike

McDermott, who could not elaborate with further details because of the

pending case. “There was some touching that wasn’t part of the

treatment.”

The two woman were partially clothed when Lovell worked on them. Police

added that Lovell would “sexually gratify” himself during the visits.

Police said Lovell was surprised when he received the arrest warrant at

his office at 1:20 p.m. No one from Lovell’s office could be reached for

comment.

Lovell’s arrest marks the third in Orange County in as many weeks. On

July 26, a 29-year-old athletic trainer at Rancho Santa Margarita High

School was charged with touching a former student in a sexual manner

during routine therapy. On Wednesday, a 38-year-old Costa Mesa hair salon

owner was arrested on similar charges for fondling one of his customers.

The recent spate of sexual misconduct by people in positions of trust

doesn’t surprise authorities.

“Their motivation is deep-seated,” McDermott said. “Most times these guys

will find their victims no matter what the consequences are.”

Police advise that women who feel they have been violated should not feel

embarrassed about reporting it to authorities.

“Women should trust their first instinct,” McDermott said. “If women feel

it’s inappropriate, it probably is. They should report it immediately.”

Police urge any of the suspect’s patients who feel they were victimized

to call the Newport Beach Police Department at (800) 550-6273.