GRAND RAPIDS TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — A doctor is in jail for sex crimes involving patients at a Grand Rapids Township office.
Investigators say they arrested Dr. Steven Scranton after searching his Rockford home Monday. He was charged Wednesday with two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving force or coercion and one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving personal injury.
“It can be difficult to even find the words that would appropriately convey how appalling this kind of behavior is,” Kent County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Joel said.
The sheriff’s department says it launched its investigation into Scranton on Nov. 29, 2017, after staff at West Brook Recovery Center, an addiction clinic, notified authorities of “inappropriate conduct” involving the doctor.
Authorities said as their investigation progressed, some patients came forward and accused Scranton of inappropriate sexual conduct.
The sheriff’s office says the victims in the case are women in their mid-20s to late 40s, all of whom were being treated for some form of opioid addiction. Four of the victims saw Scranton in Kent County and two saw him at a clinic in Petoskey.
Roon told 24 Hour News 8 the alleged assaults, all of which happened between January and November of last year, started with inappropriate comments and then escalated to touching.
When asked if Scranton was recording the assaults in any way, Roon replied, “We don’t know yet.”
“The search warrant that was conducted at his residence did yield the seizure of several electronic devices. Those electronics haven’t been searched yet,” he continued.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Detective Andy Hinds at 616.632.6192 or Detective Jason Russo at 616.632.6136.
In a statement, West Brook said it was alerted to Scranton’s alleged misconduct by an employee. It investigated the matter, then terminated Scranton’s contract and rescheduled all of his appointments with patients to other doctors. Scranton is no longer listed as a staff member on West Brook’s website.