Queens Dentist Charged With Sexually Abusing 19-Year-Old Patient
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A dentist has been arrested for allegedly sexually abusing a 19-year-old female patient in his Queens office -- and it isn't the first time he has faced such an accusation.
Bedros Yavru-Sakuk, 62, of Edgewater, N.J., was arraigned Monday night on charges of third-degree sexual abuse. He was released on his own recognizance, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said.
The alleged abuse happened in the dentist's Rego Park office between September 2012 and April 2013, Brown said.
According to the criminal charges, Yavru-Sakuk repeatedly touched the patient inappropriately without her consent, Brown said.
Yavru-Sakuk wouldn't speak to CBS 2's Dave Carlin, who went to the accused dentist's office on Tuesday.
Queens prosecutors said as they proceed with the case, their single best piece of evidence is a video tape that was shot by the alleged victim, who used a small camera.
Investigators said the woman claimed it happened in September and she wanted proof, bringing the camera and making it sure it was rolling during a follow-up visit earlier this month.
"The charges in this case are disturbing. The defendant is accused of taking advantage of his position of power and abusing his patient while he was supposed to be treating her," Brown said in a statement. "This is a serious breach of trust and cannot go unpunished."
Other patients said they're shocked, including one woman who considers the dentist a family man and a longtime friend.
"I've known him for years. He's a very nice guy. He never did anything bad. I know his family," she said.
She and others were apparently unaware that Yavru-Sakuk was convicted of third-degree sex abuse before in 1999.
The victim in that case was also a patient at the same Rego Park office, with a similar complaint that the doctor rubbed her inappropriately below the waist while she was in the chair. In that case he was sentenced to one year probation and a $500 fine.
The dentist is still in business as he awaits trial, Carlin reported.
If convicted, Yavru-Sakuk faces up to three months in jail. He is due back in court on June 20.
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