BUTTE – A Butte doctor who pleaded guilty to felony sexual assault in January for inappropriately touching his patients was sentenced to prison on Wednesday.
Dr. Patrick McGgree was sentenced in Butte District Court to 20 years in the Montana State Prison with 10 years suspended for sexually assaulting at least six female patients at his Butte practice.
Prosecutors recommended a lighter sentence for the doctor noting that he took full responsibility for his actions.
Dr. McGree’s attorney noted that his client personally went out and sought counseling for his behavior and that he is very remorseful for his actions.
“He has been, from day one — including when the investigators came to see him — he has been working to amend with a sincere desire and arising from his love of God,” John Smith said.
Dr. McGgree apologized to the victims and took full responsibility for his actions.
“I took advantage of you, using my position as your physician. I groomed you, I set you up over time and I misused you sexually.”
While Judge Kathy Seeley acknowledged that Dr. McGree was contrite, she noted that his criminal behavior went on for a long time.
“It was not a one-time incident. It was not one victim. It was not over five years — it was over many years,” Seeley said.
Some of the doctor’s victims also testified in court about the trauma they’ve experienced since his crimes.
“I will not go into a doctor’s office without someone with me, the door open. I still don’t get out as much as I used to,” one victim told the court.
Some of Dr. McGree’s family members spoke about the doctor’s remorse and also his long history of service to the community.
Dr. McGree, who lost his license to practice medicine, was also fined $5,000.
-John Emeigh reporting for MTN News
