Land O' Lakes, Florida - Dental Assistant Edwin Alvis Accused of Sexually Assaulting a Patient at Tampa Bay Institute of Oral Surgery and Dental Implants

Dental Assistant Edwin Alvis Charged with Sexual Battery/Rape of a Patient

A dental assistant at the Tampa Bay Institute of Oral Surgery and Dental Implants in Land O' Lakes has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a patient. 37-year-old Edwin Alvis faces a charge of sexual battery/rape.

An 18-year-old woman told police that on December 6, 2019, she was having her wisdom teeth removed at the surgery facility and Alvis sexually assaulted her. She said that Alvis lifted up her shirt and exposed her breasts after she took a sedative. She reportedly attempted to resist, but Alvis was still able to expose her breasts.

The woman told police that Alvis then placed his hand inside her pants and sexually assaulted her. She told deputies that she attempted to fight him off throughout the assault.

Alvis denied these allegations when questioned by investigators. The arrest report says that his DNA profile was found on the woman.

He was arrested on Thursday, February 13 and charged with sexual battery/rape.

Legal Rights of Victims of Medical Professional Sexual Assault

Attorney contributor Michael Haggard represents sexual assault victims in lawsuits against sexual predators and negligent third parties. Here is Michael to share some information on the legal rights of people who have been sexually assaulted by dental assistants and other medical professionals:

Medical professionals are trusted by their patients. When a dental assistant or another medical professional violates this trust by committing a heinous act of sexual assault against a patient, that predator must be held accountable for their crime. Additionally, the victim may have grounds for legal recourse by filing a lawsuit against the person who assaulted them and possibly the facility where the assault happened.

Medical facilities can be held liable for sexual assaults committed by employees if the facility was negligent in some way - such as hiring without running background checks or failing to investigate past allegations of sexual misconduct.

If you or a loved one is a victim of sexual assault by a dental assistant or another medical professional, you can learn more about your legal rights in a free consultation with one of our experienced sexual assault victims lawyers.

Sources:

https://www.tampabay.com/news/crime/2020/02/14/dental-assistant-sexually-assaulted-teen-getting-wisdom-teeth-out-deputies/

https://www.wfla.com/news/pasco-county/pasco-dental-assistant-accused-of-sexually-assaulting-sedated-teen/