For immediate release.
An Atlantic County, NJ doctor was just arrested and charged with inappropriately touching patients. Syed Jaffery, a neurologist, was arrested yesterday on December 23, 2014.
The arrest comes after at least 3 patients filed reports against the doctor this past year. Local law enforcement conducted a 3 month long investigation which culminated in the arrest. (Source: www.nbcphiladelphia.com, South Jersey Neurologist Charged With Criminal Sexual Contact for Allegedly Touching Patients)
Jaffery is a neurologist whose medical practice, Premier Neurology, is located in Egg Harbor Township in Atlantic County, New Jersey. He is associated with AtlantiCare, South Jersey’s largest medical/healthcare organization. The AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center is one of the largest hospitals in New Jersey and has campuses in Atlantic City and Pomona.
According to an online directory of medical professionals, Jaffery is licensed in multiple states other than New Jersey, including New York, Virginia, Florida, and California.
Jaffery has been charged with 3 counts of Criminal Sexual Contact which is a crime in the 3rd degree or the 4th degree, depending on the circumstances. Under NJ criminal law, a 3rd degree crime can result in a 3-5 year sentence, and a 4th degree crime can result in up to 18 months in jail.
Related: Patients’ Lawsuits for Sexual Abuse by Doctors in New Jersey
NJ Law – The Crime of Criminal Sexual Contact
Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact
Under New Jersey criminal law, the crime of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact occurs if the actor commits an act of sexual penetration with another person under any of the following circumstances:
a. the victim was a minor between the ages of 13 and 16; and
(i) is related to the actor by blood; or
(ii) the actor has supervisory/disciplinary power over the victim by virtue of the actor’s legal, professional, or occupational status; or
(iii) the actor stands in a familial role (i.e., family parent, a guardian, or stands in loco parentis);
b. the act was committed during the commission of another crime (robbery, kidnapping, etc.);
c. the actor used and threatened the use of a weapon or a fake weapon;
d. the actor was aided or abetted by another person and used physical force or coercion;
e. the actor used physical force or coercion and the victim suffered severe personal injury; or
f. the victim was physically helpless or otherwise incapacitated (intellectually or mentally), or had a mental disease or defect which rendered the victim temporarily or permanently incapable of understanding the nature of the actor’s conduct, and the actor was aware of the victim’s mental state.
Criminal Sexual Contact
Under New Jersey criminal law, the crime of Criminal Sexual Contact occurs if the actor commits an act of sexual penetration with another person under any of the following circumstances:
a. the actor used physical force or coercion, but the victim did not sustain severe personal injury;
b. the victim was on probation or parole, or otherwise detained in a hospital, prison or similar institution and the actor had supervisory/disciplinary power over the victim by virtue of the actor’s legal, professional or occupational status;
c. the victim was a minor between the ages of 16 and 18; and
(i) is related to the actor by blood; or
(ii) the actor has supervisory/disciplinary power over the victim by virtue of the actor’s legal, professional, or occupational status; or
(iii) the actor stands in a familial role (i.e., family parent, a guardian, or stands in loco parentis);
d. the victim was a minor between the ages of 13-16 and the actor is at least four years older.
If you were a patient of any medical professional in New Jersey and suffered sexual abuse, please contact our office to speak to Guy D’Andrea. Brian is a former sex crimes unit prosecutor who helps victims of sexual abuse in the criminal and civil courts. FREE CONSULTATIONS: (215) 399-9255.