Michigan hypnotherapist convicted of sexually assaulting patients

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A Michigan hypnotherapist accused of sexually assaulting his patients has been convicted on several charges.

David Leyton, the Genesee County Prosecutor, announced Friday that 73-year-old John Tomlinson had been found guilty of seven charges, one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, five counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of unlawful imprisonment.

In a release issued by Leyton’s office, police were first called to Tomlinson’s office in Grand Blanc Township in April of 2017. A female patient who was undergoing her fourth hypnotherapy with Tomlinson claimed he had sexually assaulted her.

Three women were ultimately named victims in the case, although Leyton says many more came forward with complaints, with some dating back to 2013. They said all were under various states of mental incapacity when the assaults occurred.

“John Tomlinson’s actions are reprehensible,” Leyton said in a statement. “He violated the most basic and sacred trust of women who came to him to treat various ailments and he used that trust and his position to satisfy his own desires.”

Leyton did not state why Tomlinson had only recently been charged and advanced to trial when the investigation started years earlier.

Based on the charges, Tomlinson faces up to life in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 30.