A Bowling Green man accused of sexual misconduct and practicing medicine without a license is receiving treatment in the hopes he will become competent to stand trial.
A competency hearing was held May 25 for William Van Robison, 69, in the courtroom of Wood County Common Pleas Judge Joel Kuhlman.
The defense in March raised the issue of his competency to stand trial.
Kuhlman ordered Robison to undergo the appropriate treatment according to the Court Diagnostic and Treatment Center for six months to restore competency.
Robison will remain at the Otterbein Skilled Life Community, or a medically authorized location based upon his condition.
Kuhlman said this placement was the least restrictive alternative available consistent with public safety and treatment goals, with preference being given to protecting the public.
Written treatment reports are to be filed with the court and contain the examiner’s opinion as to Robison’s capability of understanding the nature and objective of the proceedings against him and of assisting in his defense. Upon receipt of the written report, the court will conduct further proceedings as required by law.
A restoration review was scheduled for Oct. 12.
If Robison fails to comply with treatment the court may issue a warrant for his arrest.
He was indicted in October 2021 for practicing medicine without a license, a fifth-degree felony; two counts sexual battery, both third-degree felonies; gross sexual imposition, a fourth-degree felony; and sexual imposition, a third-degree misdemeanor.
From June 1, 2015, to Dec. 31, 2017, Robison allegedly practiced medicine and surgery, or any of its branches, without the appropriate license or certificate from the state medical board; opened an office for such practice; or practiced medicine or surgery after his license had been revoked or suspended.
Robison had operated Myo-Fit Pain Management on North Main Street for a number of years. He reportedly advertised that he was a licensed massage therapist and certified manual trigger point therapist.
During that same time, Robison was accused of engaging in sexual conduct twice with a person he knew whose ability to appraise the nature of or control her conduct was substantially impaired; causing another to have sexual contact with him by purposely compelling that person to submit by force or threat of force; and having sexual contact with another knowing that contact was offensive or reckless.
Robison was indicted again in February 2022 for two counts of sexual battery, both third-degree felonies.
The new charges stated that on Jan. 1, 2008, and again from Jan. 8, 2008, to Dec. 31, 2010, he allegedly engaged in sexual conduct while knowing the victim’s ability to know what was going on was substantially impaired.
In December, he rejected a deal from the state to plead guilty to one gross sexual imposition charge for each of two victims.
The two charges were fourth-degree felonies.
In return, the state would dismiss the remaining charges.
