A Loveland man accused of sexually assaulting a client while performing acupuncture treatment out of his home without a license has been sentenced to sex offender intensive probation.
Rodney Pereira, now 69, pleaded guilty in July to unauthorized practice of medicine by impersonating a medical provider, a Class 6 felony; sexual contact as an acupuncturist, a Class 1 misdemeanor; unauthorized practice of massage therapy and unauthorized practice of acupuncture, both Class 2 misdemeanors.
Pereira was sentenced to five years of sex offender intensive supervised probation on Thursday by Judge Sara Cure. He was also given a 364-day suspended jail sentence, which will only be imposed if he does not comply with the terms of probation.
Pereira was arrested in August 2023 after a woman reported to the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office earlier that year that she began receiving acupuncture treatment at a man’s Loveland home in mid-2022. During a treatment session in late 2022, the woman told investigators the man sexually assaulted her while providing massage therapy treatment, the sheriff’s office said in a news release at the time of Pereira’s arrest.
Investigators previously said Pereira represented himself as a retired medical doctor and offered acupuncture and holistic medicine services, but he had never obtained certification as a doctor and his acupuncture license expired in 2021, according to the news release.
Deputy District Attorney Leah Lechuga said Thursday that the victim in this case was seeking treatment from Pereira for anxiety that stemmed from previous sexual violence she experienced, and investigators are “concerned he preyed upon her.”
Lechuga said “there seems to be diminished accountability,” from Pereira, but Pereira’s attorney Mark Savoy said his client is “fully remorseful for his actions, and he is ready to take responsibility.”
Savoy pointed out the woman’s delay in reporting these allegations, not to blame her, he said, but as a way to “cast doubt on some” of what might have occurred in this case. He said that “whether (the woman) consented” to what occurred or not, Pereira acknowledges that “his behavior violated the trust that should exist,” and was illegal.
Pereira said he regretted his actions and apologized to the victim, acknowledging the harm he understands he caused.
“I know that what I did was morally and ethically improper,” Pereira said. “I’m committed to making sure this mistake is a turning point for me.”
Resources for sexual assault victims
Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Center (SAVA) provides crisis intervention, advocacy and counseling for survivors and anyone affected by sexual violence in Northern Colorado, as well as prevention programs through community outreach and education.
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Fort Collins location: 970-472-4204
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Loveland location: 970-775-2962
ChildSafe supports child and adult victims of childhood abuse, particularly sexual abuse, and their family members.
SummitStone Health Partners provides counseling for psychological, emotional and behavioral problems, substance use disorders, domestic violence and sexual assault victims.
Resources provided by the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Unlicensed Colorado acupuncturist accused of sex assault sentenced
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