A 90-year-old North Carolina acupuncturist used his needles to partially paralyze his patient while he sexually assaulted her, according to a report.
Dr. Shi Ying Kuai was charged with second-degree force sex offense and sexual battery Tuesday, weeks after he allegedly pounced on his victim inside the clinic he operates from his home, Asheville police said.
River Lajoice, the elderly man’s victim, had been seeing Kuai twice a week for four years before he allegedly turned violent.
“He actually thought he was going to get away with this, and it was going to be OK,” the 28-year-old told News 13.
After sticking her body with needles as usual, Kuai began undressing his patient and shockingly put his mouth on her body, Lajoice claimed.
“It just heavily escalated from there,” she said.
Lajoice was left helpless from the needles, which she believes Kuai purposefully positioned to leave her largely unable to move her body.
Pinned to the table, she screamed for help and begged Kuai to stop.
Instead, he repeatedly told her “thank you” as he continued assaulting her, she said.
Lajoice immediately reported Kuai to the police for taking advantage of her while she was physically and mentally vulnerable.
She told the outlet that she trusted him and, over the years, had referred about two dozen people to his practice.
“He was basically like a grandfather, if anything, like a great-grandfather,” Lajoice said.
“That’s why I feel very strongly about coming out about this, not only is it respect to myself, and not letting somebody get away with this, but also to warn people and let them know this is not a man to be trusted.”
Asheville police are encouraging other potential victims of Kuai to come forward.
“Offenders come in all ages, shapes and sizes,” Detective Jonathan McCain said.
Kuai is being held on a $100,000 bond.
