With trial 3 days away, local chiropractor enters plea to sexual abuse charges from 2019 case

File photo for illustrative purposes only of St. George Police Department at accident scene on 610 North, St. George, Utah, April 28, 2022 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — Four days before jury selection was to begin, a local chiropractor entered a plea to multiple charges filed in connection with a case that has lingered for nearly three years amid complications for both sides in a backlog of court filings.

2019 file photo of Brent David Noorda, 41, of St. George, booking photo taken In Washington County, Utah, Aug. 21, 2019 | File photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News

With a jury trial looming, 41-year-old Brent David Noorda entered a no contest plea to two second-degree felony counts for forcible sexual abuse and three misdemeanor counts of sexual battery, during what was initially scheduled as a motion hearing held before District Judge G. Michael Westfall on Friday.

The defendant originally was charged with 20 second-degree felony counts of forcible sexual abuse, and under the terms of the plea agreement, the state filed an amended information listing two second-degree felony forcible sexual abuse charges and three misdemeanor sexual battery charges.

The case, originally filed in August 2019 following an investigation into a number of reports of alleged sexual misconduct, was forwarded to the St. George Police Department by the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. The reports were filed under the premise that Noorda’s actions possibly were criminal in nature and were then forwarded to law enforcement for further investigation.

According to investigators, the defendant provided breast massages to multiple patients under the guise it would loosen the muscle and was necessary for medical reasons. The defendant also made inappropriate comments during the chiropractic adjustments, as well as comments involving the bust size of other patients and when confronted “he would say it was for medical reasons.”

Following the investigation, the Washington County Attorney’s Office charged Noorda, who was arrested and booked into jail on Aug. 21, 2019. He remained in jail until he was released exactly one year later on house arrest.

According to the state, the defendant’s actions revealed a specific pattern of conduct, including a selection process by which the defendant chose which of his patients he would victimize, those primarily consisting of the most vulnerable patients who had come to him for help – women the defendant took advantage of for his own sexual gratification, the pretrial motion stated.  

During Friday’s hearing, the judge outlined the state’s case by saying the factual basis behind the charges was that Noorda touched the breasts of two different patients under the premise of performing a medical procedure when in reality there was no legitimate medical purpose that existed for such actions. The defendant also touched three other patients over their clothing, actions that precipitated the filing of the two felony and three misdemeanor charges.

2020 file photo of Brent Noorda, appearing for bail hearing held at 5th District Court in St. George via video from jail, St. George, Utah, Aug. 13, 2020 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

Westfall also went over the terms of the plea agreement that was entered into by the parties, including a stipulation that prohibited the state from making any sentencing recommendations during any upcoming hearing. It also required that prosecutors remain silent in regards to sentencing, the judge said, adding the victims would be able to address the court and provide any recommendations as they so wish.

Noorda’s attorney, Douglas Terry, also addressed the court by saying his client wished to plead “no contest,” to all five charges –  meaning the defendant accepts a conviction for the charge without a factual admission of guilt. Under Utah law, such a plea must first be approved by the court.

Westfall then went over the guidelines of a “no contest” plea by saying it would have no bearing on the sentence he would ultimately impose. The judge also reminded Noorda he would be giving up certain rights, including his right to appeal.

Westfall also made it clear he was not bound by any agreement in terms of sentencing in the case, adding he would only be bound by the statutory limits as set forth under Utah law.

The judge also went over the 10-year sex offender registration requirement that would accompany any sentence in the case, as required for any conviction on two felony sexual abuse charges, a detail that Noorda was aware of, Terry said.

Once Westfall was satisfied the defendant was entering into the no contest plea voluntarily, it was approved by the court and he ordered a presentence investigation report that would be used during sentencing. The jury trial scheduled for Monday was canceled and instead, the defendant was scheduled to appear in court for sentencing on July 20.

This report is based on statements from court records, police or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

Free News Delivery by Email

Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Enter your email below to start!