A North Dakota doctor is accused of sexually abusing a young girl multiple times in Clatsop County over a two-year period.
Robert John Gustafson, a surgeon in the 1,200-person town of Hettinger, N.D., pleaded not guilty Monday in Clatsop County Circuit Court to 10 counts of first-degree sex abuse and two counts of first-degree encouraging child sex abuse.
The alleged abuse occurred in Clatsop County between Jan. 1, 2009, and Dec. 31, 2011, according to the indictment. The sex-abuse charges relate to Gustafson allegedly touching the girl, under 14 at the time, and having the girl touch him.
Gustafson, 46, appeared in court Monday via video link from Clatsop County Jail, where he is being held on $250,000 bail.
His defense lawyer Paul Hood said Gustafson plans to post the required 10 percent amount of bail to be released from jail, and return to North Dakota.
“He is a surgeon at the West River Health Center in Hettinger, North Dakota,” Hood said. “I contacted the health center today, they are holding his job for him. He is the only surgeon at the facility.”
As part of his release agreement, Gustafson would normally not be allowed to leave the state. However, Clatsop County District Attorney Josh Marquis did not object.
“The normal conditions would prohibit he leave the state. The defendant is a doctor apparently licensed in North Dakota, where he lives,” Marquis said. “The state does not object to him leaving the state, but we ask he have no contact with any children and surrender his passport.”
Judge Philip Nelson granted the release agreement, and allowed Gustafson to return to North Dakota. Gustafson is required to have no contact with the victim, her family or any children under 18, unless it is necessary at the health center where he works.
His next scheduled court appearance is an early resolution conference in September.
Hood will request the court let Gustafson not appear in person at the next hearing, since he will be in North Dakota.
Original Story: http://www.dailyastorian.com/Local_News/20150714/north-dakota-doctor-accused-of-sex-abuse
