MIAMI — A 33-year-old therapist who works at a mental health and substance abuse treatment facility in Miami was arrested Tuesday on accusations that he sexually assaulted at least two of his patients, the City of Miami Police Department announced in a news release.
According to police, the assaults happened at a treatment facility in the 100 block of Northeast 49th Street.
An arrest report for Manuel Enrique Garcia alleges that one of the victims – a woman in her 40s – reported that Garcia raped her and threatened the victim with job loss and homelessness if she reported the encounter.
According to the report, the victim said the incident occurred during a one-on-one session between February and March in which Garcia began caressing her hair and asked the woman if she liked him.
Police said the woman got nervous and said “yes.”
Garcia then raped the victim, the report stated.
Police said a second victim – a woman in her mid-20s – reported a similar encounter with the therapist, saying he coerced her into performing oral sex on him.
According to the report, Garcia asked the victim if she needed anything from her personal storage, which was located in his office and then pulled her into his office, kissing her and touching her breast underneath her clothing.
Police said Garcia then pulled out his penis and had her perform oral sex on him.
According to the report, the victim feared that if she did not comply with Garcia he would provide negative documentation in her therapy notes, which could jeopardize her reunification with her child.
According to the report, both victims’ statements were corroborated by several other female residents at the facility.
Garcia was arrested Tuesday by MPD’s Felony Apprehension Team.
He faces three counts of psychotherapist engaging in sex with a client.
According to the report, Garcia provided a statement to detectives, however his statement was redacted from the publicly released report.
Police confirmed that during the interview with detectives, Garcia eventually requested an attorney.
Garcia appeared in bond court Wednesday, where he was ordered held on a $30,000 bond. He told the judge he only has $2,000 in his bank account.
If he is eventually able to post bond, Garcia is not permitted to have any contact with the victims and will not be permitted to work as a therapist while the cases against him are pending.
As of Wednesday afternoon, he was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
Detectives believe there may be additional victims out there and encourage anyone with further information or who have had similar experiences with Garcia to come forward by calling the Miami Police Special Victims Unit at 305-603-6300 or 305-579-6111.
“The safety and well-being of all patients is our utmost priority, and we are committed to ensuring justice for the victims involved,” MPD said in a news release.
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