Optometrist guilty of groping patients, must register as a sex offender

After Huntersville optometrist Chris Reynolds, 50, pleaded guilty to sexual battery, five victims, seated in the front gallery of the courtroom, went up to the judge and spoke about the damage Reynolds' groping and sexual violation did to their dignity.

The Charlotte Observer has a piece, Optometrist pleads guilty:

One [victim] cried as she recounted what Reynolds did to her during an eye exam. "I hope you get what you deserve," she said. Another woman described how Reynolds placed his hand on her breast, while also touching himself. "Mr. Reynolds is a sick and twisted man," she told the judge.

Mecklenburg District Judge Tom Moore sentenced Reynolds to 15 days in jail, fined him $5,000 and placed him on probation for three years. The judge also ordered Reynolds to register as a sex offender.

Reynolds, 50, was arrested in August and charged with misdemeanor sexual battery after police said a patient complained that the optometrist had touched her inappropriately during an eye exam. In October, he was charged with four additional counts of sexual battery.
Reynolds pleaded guilty to one count. In exchange, prosecutors dismissed the other four.
Assistant District Attorney Bruce Lillie, who offered the plea deal, said his main concern was to make sure Reynolds registered as a sex offender. "This man would never have seen the inside of a jail cell if it wasn't for these strong women who came forward to confront him."

North Carolina's sex offender registry is an online tool that allows people to find out the names and addresses of convicted sex offenders. Residents can map registered offenders' addresses up to 5 miles from a home, school, child care center or park.

Huntersville Detective Jen Sprague detailed how the allegations, initially involving a single patient, mushroomed to involved 27 patients.

Kevin Barnett, an attorney for Reynolds, said his client is being treated for his addiction. [Note: Most sex addicts only hurt themselves or their families. Sex offenders always hurt others.]

"Dr. Reynolds is remorseful that he did this- He pleaded guilty because he was guilty." attorney Jerry Parnell said later. Though the women didn't want to talk to reporters, one said, "It's never enough," after being asked about the 15-day jail term.