On December 22, 2022, former orthopedic surgeon Dr. James DeVellis of Wakefield, MA, was arrested on charges of rape and indecent assault on a 21-year-old male back in April 2020. DeVellis, 56, pleaded not guilty and was released on personal recognizance, ordered to surrender his passport, and to have no contact with the victim and his family. According to media reports, DeVellis allegedly invited the victim, whom he had known, to his Lexington home to complete some work. At some point during the visit, the victim claimed that he had lost consciousness and that DeVellis drugged and raped him.
In April of 2016, Dr. James DeVellis was brought into custody on accusations that he inappropriately touched young men during check-ups and procedures. Those victims, teenage boys, also shared their complaints with the State Medical Board when they recalled inappropriate touching during their visits with Dr. Devellis while he was working at Excel Orthopedics in Woburn, MA, in 2016. At that time, DeVellis voluntarily agreed to stop practicing medicine in Massachusetts amid sexual misconduct allegations but denied them all. Devellis had two offices in Massachusetts where he specialized in Orthopedic Surgery and fear there are many other victims.
During the investigation, Boston, MA, police discovered that the former doctor has a second home on Crayton Road in the Moorings neighborhood of Naples, Florida. Naples police are now looking to see if he ever practiced in Florida and committed any sexual assault. Naples
police are extra cautious. as this arrest was strikingly similar to all facets of the recent arrest and later suicide of Dr. Eric Salata, who now has 14 women on the record alleging that the cosmetologist drugged and raped them at his medspa on Fifth Avenue South. They encourage anyone to reach out if they have any information pertaining to DeVellis.
"It's definitely an added concern for us. One of the reasons .... Following the past arrest we had ... with similar nature - with abuse of power... which is what this kinda sounds like ... which is what the Dr. Salata case was about," said Lt. McGinn.
Finding the right medical provider can be challenging. We seek out seasoned professionals who possess a good bedside manner, compassion, and empathy. When we do finally decide on one, we hope to feel better over time, not be violated by the very person with whom we place our trust. Doctors hold a position of power in the physician-patient relationship under Florida law. It is both unacceptable and unlawful for a healthcare professional to touch a patient in any sexual manner or practice any sexual misconduct while treating the patient.
Horowitz Law has filed numerous sexual misconduct claims against medical professionals on behalf of patients who were inappropriately touched in their care. Under no circumstances is a doctor or nurse permitted to have sexual contact with a patient. If you have been a victim of sexual assault or sexual battery at a medical office or facility, 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.