On March 10, 2023, the Florida Department of Health issued an Order of Emergency Suspension of Agostinho Loiola Rodrigues, D.C., (Dr. Rodrigues) to practice as a chiropractic physician in the State of Florida following disturbing allegations and charges of sexual battery on multiple female patients. On November 13, Orlando chiropractor Agostinho Rodrigues was arrested and charged with Sexual Battery and Battery for the fourth time since October for sexually assaulting his patients. Rodrigues operates his own practice and rents space at The Healthy Human (TV Fitness Pros) located at 1005 Virginia Drive in Orlando. His rental agreement permitted Rodrigues to use the personal training area only. He also is a former soccer coach and teacher at Edgewater High School in the College Park neighborhood of Orlando. Rodrigues has been a licensed chiropractor since 2018.
According to the Orlando Police Department and court documents, Agostinho Rodrigues, age 62, was arrested four times in a five-week span and charged on four separate cases with (1) one count of sexual battery and one count of battery, (2) one count of sexual battery and one count of battery, (3) one count of sexual battery and one count of battery, (4) one count of sexual battery by administration of a substance and one count of battery. Rodrigues posted bail in all four arrests.
Orlando Chiropractor Agostinho Rodrigues’ Four Arrests
1. On October 7, 2022, Rodrigues was arrested, charged with battery and sexual battery, and booked into the Orange County Jail in Orlando for the offense on September 30, 2022, while at his place of business. He was released two days later on a $50,500 bond. The arrest came after a report was made by a 42-year-old female patient of Rodrigues’. According to the arrest affidavit, the woman claims that she had seen “Dr. Tinho” twice before, and this was her third visit for lower back pain. Her initial appointment was on September 26, when she was told by Rodrigues that she required a few more sessions. She returned on Sept. 27 and noted that Rodrigues kissed her on the cheek and then returned for her final appointment on September 30. She reported that Rodrigues brought her into a private massage room, told her he was filming the session, and told her to remove her shirt to check her lymph nodes. She followed directions but left her sports bra on. She alleges that Rodrigues then lifted her bra, exposed her breasts, and rubbed and squeezed her nipples, stating her nipples had to be soft. She said Rodrigues told her it was to drain the lymph nodes. She then says that Rodrigues slipped his hand under her pants and told her he would stimulate her. He allegedly rubbed her clitoris for one minute and placed a finger inside her vagina. The patient believed he was performing a medical procedure, as she had seen him multiple times before and had no reason not to trust him. She froze, then pulled her bra down, got up, and left. The patient then canceled all of her remaining appointments. The patient told the referring massage therapist of what had happened, and that staff member just said, “ok.”
2. On October 13, 2022, Rodrigues was arrested and charged again with battery and sexual battery for an incident that occurred on April 24, 2022. Rodrigues performed chiropractic services for another patient and her mother, who worked at The Healthy Human. After the mother left the building, Rodrigues brought the patient into a private massage room, which was not authorized. Rodrigues pulled the patient’s shirt up and over her breasts and began massaging the area between her belly button and genitals. Rodrigues then placed his hand under the patient’s pants and underwear and touched the outside of her labia. He told her it was part of the massage. Rodrigues then licked the patient’s nipples and told her he was stimulating her pectoral muscles.
3. Rodrigues was arrested one more time on October 24 for an alleged sexual assault that occurred on February 6, 2022. He was released on a $15,000 bond. The emergency order states that Rodrigues met his client at Healthy Human during “off” hours. Rodrigues used his key to enter and let the patient in through the back door. He instructed the patient to lie on her back for the adjustment. Rodrigues placed his hands under the patient’s shirt and bra and pulled on her breasts and nipples, saying he was relieving her stress. Rodrigues then told the patient that they needed to move into a private massage area with a massage table. Rodrigues proceeded with the adjustment and placed his hand under the patient’s waistband. He said he “needed to get a better angle.” He then moved his hands down to the patient’s vagina and touched the inside of her labia with his fingers. The patient told him to stop, and she immediately got up and left. On her way out, Rodrigues commented that he would see her son the following day for his appointment, but the patient did not attend. Rodrigues repeatedly sent the patient text messages that said his life circumstances made him “do things.”
4. Upon further investigation, police found details of old reports that happened three times during holiday breaks in November and December 2009. The reports stated that Rodrigues allegedly touched a 16-year-old girl in private areas while massaging her after training sessions. The girl was on the Edgewater High School soccer team while he was a teacher and soccer coach. In June 2010, the girl’s mother reported the alleged abuse to the Orlando Police Department. On August 25, 2011, a jury comprised of six men found him not guilty of one count of sexual activity with a child and six counts of lewd or lascivious molestation. After Rodrigues was found not guilty, Rodrigues told the Orlando Sentinel, “I feel like I got my life back, and I will continue being a good member of this community, freely.”
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.
The disciplinary order continues disturbing trend of sexual misconduct by healthcare providers throughout Florida. Under Florida law, massage therapists occupy positions of trust, and all sexual activity between the massage therapist and clients is strictly prohibited. Agostinho Rodrigues’ actions towards his patients show that he does not have the judgment or moral character to hold a position of power or trust. Dr. Rodrigues violated the patient-physician relationship when repeatedly engaging in sexual misconduct with multiple patients. Dr. Rodrigues’ continued unrestricted practice as a chiropractic physician presents a risk of immediate, serious danger to the health, welfare, and safety of the public.
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 [email protected] for a free consultation.