On July 9, 2020, Akepe Ntube, a licensed physical therapist assistant, was accused of sexually assaulting a woman at Grace Medical and Chiropractic located at 13720 North Cleveland Ave. in North Fort Myers, Florida. Police said initiated unwanted sexual contact with the woman while treating her. Ntube, 46, of Lehigh Acres was arrested on one count of sexual assault after the woman reported the incident to the Lee County Sheriff's Office.
According to the arrest report, the woman said upon completion of the chiropractor's treatment, she was lying face down on the massage table for her usual five minute massage of her hamstrings and glutes. She was fully clothed in shirt, shorts and shoes, when Ntube started to massage the back of her leg and moved his hand up toward her buttocks. He slid his hand under her shorts and underwear and quickly stuck his fingers in her vagina. The woman became immediately frightened and pushed his hand away, asking why he would do such a thing. Ntube apologized and begged her to not tell anyone. She went straight to the police.
When the detective interviewed Ntube he claimed the woman became "upset" for no apparent reason and didn't finish her massage. When asked if he had touched her vagina he said, "I don't think so." He was told the woman was getting a medical exam which included DNA collection from her vaginal area. The detective asked if his DNA would be found. At that point, Ntube asked to speak with a lawyer.
According to the Florida Department of Health, Ntube received his physical therapist license in February 2012. No previous disciplinary action or complaints have been reported. The judge set a $20,000 bail for his release. He was released the following day. His scheduled trial date is set for August 8, 2020.
When patients schedule physical therapy sessions it is to improve bodily movement, manage pain and recover and heal from injuries or other medical conditions. They trust that therapists employed at the medical office are carefully vetted, professional and safe. It is both unacceptable and unlawful for any employee to touch a patient in a sexual manner.
NEWS UPDATE ON JULY 1, 2021: Akepe Gerard Ntube, age 47, of Lehigh Acres, was found guilty as charged of one count of Sexual Battery. A jury returned the verdict following a one-day trial in Lee County. He is now a registered sex offender in the State of Florida.
Horowitz Law has filed numerous sexual misconduct claims against health care professionals on behalf of clients who were inappropriately touched at a doctor's office, clinic or hospital. If you have been a victim of sexual assault or sexual battery by a health care professional, or if you know someone who has, please contact our law firm at 888-283-9922 or send an e-mail to sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz at adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com for a free consultation.