A San Diego doctor accused of taking hundreds of nude images of patients, including an 8-year-old girl, was investigated on similar allegations two decades ago, prosecutors revealed Monday.
Jeffrey Abrams, 67, pleaded not guilty to 15 felony counts of sexual penetration of an unconscious victim, eight counts of sexual battery of an unconscious victim and one count of possession of child pornography.
The only act involving a minor was the child pornography, prosecutor Kerry Conway said. She said the count involves a young girl who went to the clinic suffering from bronchitis.
There were eight alleged victims who were seen by Dr. Abrams at the Volunteers in San Diego free clinic in El Cajon between June 1, 2010, and June 2014, prosecutors said.
Abrams was arrested Friday in connection with photos of women’s vaginas, breasts and buttocks that were allegedly found on his work phone. There was also a video of a patient touching herself in the exam room with Abrams, a search warrant alleges.
Conway told the court Abrams once faced similar allegations in the early 1990s, but there was no disciplinary action taken.
Abrams was ordered held on $1.5 million bail and ordered to surrender his passport.
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Defense attorney Alex Landon argued for lower bail, saying the physician suffers several medical issues, has lived in the same home for 35 years and has been married for 45 years.
If convicted, Abrams could be sentenced to 40 years behind bars.
Abrams has had his license suspended by the State Medical Board.
Volunteers in Medicine issued a statement calling the allegations "very troubling" and said the allegations are not a reflection on the staff at the health care center, the only free medical clinic in the East County.
