A once prominent orthopedic surgeon has been sentenced to prison, a decade after 25 Investigates first uncovered sexual misconduct claims against him.
James DeVellis, a former orthopedic surgeon, was sentenced to 7 to 10 years in jail, followed by five years probation, after being convicted of raping a family acquaintance.
He entered the courtroom on Monday afternoon as a convicted felon.
The survivor of the abuse gave an impact statement in court, outlining how his trust was damaged and the long-term consequences of the assault. Boston 25 does not identify victims of sexual abuse.
“Jim once told my parents that me and my brothers were like the sons he never had,” he said to the court. “I believe this trauma will continue into future relationships, marriage, and parenthood. “It will influence how I teach my own children about trust and safety.”
Prosecutors claimed the attack took place in 2020 in DeVellis’ Lexington home, where he gave the then-21-year-old alcohol and assaulted him while unconscious.
25 Investigates first reported on charges against DeVellis in 2016, when they discovered patient complaints of sexual misconduct during tests and procedures filed with the state medical board. Months later, Devellis forfeited his medical licence.
He was never criminally charged in connection with the patient claims.
Prosecutors previously stated that they could not proceed due to a legal loophole in Massachusetts law that allowed patients to be considered to have consented to medically essential operations, so protecting doctors.
When DeVellis assaulted the young guy in his house, he no longer had legal protection.
The abuse survivor told the court that he tried to keep what happened to him a secret until his brother revealed that the same thing happened to him by the same individual. Though DeVellis was only charged in one case, his brother’s evidence and that of another claimed victim from 2016 were accepted at trial.
The defense team informed the court that it intended to pursue an appeal of the conviction. They supplied the court with written testimony describing DeVellis as a generous man who looked after several family members.
In addition to prison and probation, DeVellis must enroll in a sex offender treatment program upon release and wear a GPS monitor for at least three years.
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