Sexual Battery Charges Filed On NoVA Physical Therapist

MERRIFIELD, VA — A physical therapist at Inova’s Center for Personalized Health in Merrifield was arrested Monday for sexually assaulting a patient during a therapy appointment, according to authorities.

Fairfax County police responded around 12:28 p.m. for the report of a sex offense in the 8000 block of Innovation Park Drive.

“The victim reported that she was sexually assaulted by a licensed physical therapist during her therapy appointment,” according to the incident report. “The victim attempted to leave but the suspect blocked her from exiting and took her phone. The victim was eventually able to leave and reported the incident.”

Investigators identified 34-year-old Samuel Young Choi of Chantilly as a suspect in the case. The victim told investigators that Choi had sexually assaulted her during another physical therapy session, according to police.

Choi was arrested and taken to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, where he was charged with two counts of aggravated sexual battery, robbery, and abduction, according to police. He was then held without bond.

Choi was arraigned on Tuesday morning in Fairfax County General District Court and had a bond hearing scheduled for 8:31 a.m. on Thursday, according to court records. A preliminary hearing was set for 2 p.m. on Dec. 8. Choi remains in custody.

If convicted on the aggravated sexual battery charges, which are felonies, Choi faces a potential penalty of one to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000, under the Code of Virginia.

The abduction charge is a Class 5 felony, which is punishable by one to 10 years in prison, according to Virginia law. At the court’s discretion, the sentence could be reduced to confinement in jail for up to 12 months and a fine of up to $2,500.

The robbery charge is a Class 6 felony. If Choi is convicted on this charge, he could be sent to prison for one to five years or up to 12 months in jail, along with fines of up to $2,500, according to Virginia law.

If you have been a victim of a crime involving this man or have information, please reach out to detectives from our Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 3. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), and by web – Click HERE. Download the ‘P3 Tips’ App “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers”. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for a cash reward. Please leave contact information if you wish for a detective to follow up with you.

Victim specialists from our Major Crimes Bureau’s Victim Services Division have been assigned to ensure the victim is receiving appropriate resources and assistance.