ALEXANDRIA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Public Information Office
2003 Mill Road
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
703.838.4636
MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 12, 2004 9:00 A.M.
Alexandria Doctor Arrested for Sexual Battery of Patient;
Police Alert Immigrant Community to Urge Other Victims to Come Forward
Yesterday afternoon, Alexandria police arrested Fausto D. Fernandez, a local doctor, for sexual battery. Fernandez is charged with one count of sexual battery for molesting one of his patients. Fernandez, 64, specializes in treating patients who need physicals for immigration purposes.
On November 26, 2003, a 38-year-old Alexandria man reported to police that he had been victimized by Fernandez. The victim reported that on November 1, 2003, he had visited Fernandez’s medical office at 4600 King Street to get a physical as part of his application for resident alien status. During the physical examination, Fernandez sexually battered the victim.
Detectives investigated and a warrant was issued for Fernandez’s arrest. Fernandez, a resident of 917 North Van Dorn Street in Alexandria, turned himself into police on Tuesday, May 11. He was released on bail later the same day.
Police are investigating whether Fernandez may have victimized other patients. Says Detective Sandy Hein, “Victims of sexual abuse are often hesitant to report these kinds of crimes. Immigrants may be even more reluctant to come forward, but it’s important for them to know that we want to help them.”
A photo of Fernandez is posted on the City’s website (www.alexandriava.gov) under “News Releases.” Anyone who has information about this case or similar ones is asked to call Detective Hein at 703.838.4711.
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Fausto D. Fernandez
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