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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – An Albuquerque therapist accused of sexually abusing a teenage patient faced a judge Monday.
Krishna Vemulapalli was first booked into jail about a week ago. On Monday, prosecutors argued to keep him there.
Vemulapalli is accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old patient.
“He started by kind of touching her more innocently on the leg or the thigh, and then he would gradually move his way upwards. And then he would also make sexually suggestive comments,” said the prosecutor.
According to court documents, Vemulapalli had treated that patient since she was 11 years old.
The alleged victim told her parents she was being abused in March. She reportedly recorded a confession during one of her therapy sessions.
“During the recording, the defendant not only admitted to touching her, but it being sexually motivated,” said prosecutors.
Prosecutors argued Vemulapalli was a danger to the community. They say the accusations against him – along with veiled threats reportedly made on that recording – prove he is a danger.
“You tell somebody I’m going to have to release all of your records, so everyone will know what you are doing.”
His defense attorney said he could be safely released.
“What this appears to be is an isolated incident, with an isolated relationship, and there is no indication this is threatening beyond this specific scenario,” said the defense.
He noted Vemulpalli is not seeing any clients right now.