On Friday, November 7, 2014, investigators from the California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) Health Quality Investigation Unit, with the assistance of San Diego Harbor police, arrested Dr. Jeffrey Joel Abrams, 67,  at the  airport in San Diego.   The doctor is accused of sexually assaulting female patients and taking nude or partially nude photos of female patients in exam rooms at a low-income clinic in El Cajon.

“The alleged actions of this doctor are criminal, shameful and violated trusting individuals who came to him for help,” said Alan Barcelona, president of the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) which represents DCA investigators.  “Our investigators in DCA’s Health Quality Investigation Unit, including Investigator Jose Partida,  are to be commended for their work on this case. Investigator Partida is in the process of identifying more victims. By validating accusations and arresting this physician, investigators help his victims to begin a path of  healing and hopefully prevent there from being any future victims.”

Abrams is charged with 24 felony counts including 15 counts of sexual penetrations of an unconscious person, eight counts of sexual battery and one count of possession of child pornography.

The alleged crimes took place at Volunteers in Medicine, a low-income medical office in El Cajon.  Abrams allegedly had 1,300 pictures of women in exam rooms on his cell phone including a photo of a young female.  

The California Medical Board suspended Abram’s license on October 31, 2014, prohibiting him from practicing medicine.

The case came to light after a patient reported Abrams touched her private area when she sought help for belly pain.  She also reported he took photos of her.   Since the investigation began, other victims have come forward.  At least two patieants have filed civil lawsuits against him.  The doctor was  arraigned on November 10, 2014 and is in jail with bail set at $1.5 million dollar as he awaits a trial.