Military Psych Doctor Charged With Raping His Rape-victim Patients

A psychologist at Travis Air Force Base Medical Center in California has been arrested and charged with raping female service members. Appallingly, the women were themselves seeking therapy as victims of previous sexual assaults.

Base authorities report that Doctor Heath J. Sommer, who was hired specifically to treat Air Force veterans with post-traumatic stress complaints, was ordered this week in a Fairfield California court to stand trial on 3 counts of Felony Sexual Assault. Investigators determined that the doctor had deliberately targeted female service members in the years 2014-2015 while on staff at the base medical center, located about 40 miles northeast of Oakland.

Investigators revealed that Sommer, age 41, would use a psychological technique called "exposure therapy" - which involved the women reliving and even reenacting their traumatic sexual assaults, with the doctor in the male role.

One woman told police that as part of her "therapy" the doctor exposed his genitals and forced her to perform oral sex in order for her to get well.

Another victim is an Air Force officer being treated for a rape which happened in Afghanistan in 2002. She is testifying that the maniacal doctor said it was essential for her recovery that she re-experience her sexual assault, and then asked her to have sex with him so she could have a "loving" experience to replace the rape.

Travis Air Base spokeswoman Amber Carter stated they contracted a civilian medical provider - Aloha Health Joint Venture - to manage psychological treatment for veterans, in 2014. She said the records indicate Sommer had treated about 100 patients - both men and women - before the hospital terminated him in July 2016.

Sommer's trial date has not yet been set. He is being held in Solano County jail on a $750,000 bail.