MAPLETON, Utah — A Nephi therapist was arrested Monday after he was accused of drugging, abusing, and sexually assaulting a female client over several years.
Kevin Michael White, 56, was taken into custody and faces charges of Rape, Forcible Sexual Abuse, Rape.
According to court documents, police first began investigating White after the patient came forward, claiming he kissed and touched her, while also sending her pictures of self-harm he had caused himself, and threatened suicide if she ever went public with what happened.
The victim told investigators that during her therapy sessions with White, she discussed her struggles with body image issues. He allegedly had the victim stand up and turn around so he could compliment her beauty, and encouraged her to show him her self-harm scars and kiss them.
During their sessions, White held the victim's hand and placed his hand on her chest to "help her breathe." According to the victim, at first she assumed the action was a normal aspect of therapy, but White claimed he did this to be "close to her breasts," the arrest documents state.
Investigators said the victim also met with White at various hotel rooms across Utah County for sessions. The victim claimed she had set clear boundaries with White that nothing sexual would happen in the hotel rooms, but that he would consistently manipulate her to get around the boundaries.
In one session, the victim stated that White expressed the desire to sleep next to her. When White began trying to engage in sexual activities, the victim went into the hotel bathroom and cried. When she returned, White was lying on the bed after having cut his arm. According to the victim, following this experience, she felt like she could never say no to him.
"This terrified her," an officer wrote on the arrest report. "She felt it was her fault for being upset about the sexual encounter, believing he had somehow turned the blame on her. Following that incident, she felt she could never say no to him again, fearing what he might do to himself."
Detectives believe White engaged in Ketamine therapy with the victim. White told investigators that the victim obtained the Ketamine herself, and his prescription was for his personal use. However, White admitted that he did provide Ketamine to her in the hotel.
Throughout the course of the alleged abuse, White told the victim that if their situation were ever reported, he would kill himself.
On two occasions, the victim met White at his apartment for sex. However, the victim claimed she was manipulated as she feared the harm White would do to himself if she declined.
When the victim finally cut ties with White, he allegedly sent her $1,400, which she felt was a payoff to ensure her silence. The victim also accused White of continuing to charge her insurance for weekly sessions even though they never took place.
As part of the investigation, the victim shared text messages from White. In one conversation, White wrote, "I never ever intended to hurt you. I'm sorry for all of it. I tried to stop over and over." The victim responded, "What do you mean you tried to stop?? [sic] I tried to set boundaries and you never listened to them. They were crossed every time I saw you. Every time I came to therapy in your office you crossed the sexual boundaries that were so precious to me."
The final message listed in the court documents read, "I was your therapist and took advantage of you. There was a power differential but that changed and you had the power. I was the one that became very depressed and suicidal. I still am."
When investigators interviewed White, he stated that he knew the sexual relationship was wrong but that he believed it to be consensual. White also admitted to the self-harm that was happening in the relationship and his threat of suicide if the victim ever went forward.
White claimed the money he had provided to the victim was because she had no job. White also claimed to have helped the victim file paperwork for disability.
