A New Jersey physician has been accused of inappropriately touching a female patient during a February visit to his chiropractic office, authorities said Sunday.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office announced charges against James Royle, the owner Royle Sports Chiropractic, a facility in Jackson Township.
Royle, 68, of New Egypt, is charged with criminal sexual contact related to the patient’s visit on Feb. 14, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a statement Sunday. He was given a summons for a future court date, authorities said.
An initial court date was not listed in judicial records, which also did not show if Royle had yet retained an attorney since charges were filed on Feb. 27.
The woman reported the alleged abuse to Jackson Township police and the prosecutor’s office’s special victims unit on Feb. 26, authorities said. She stated that during a chiropractic adjustment, Royle touched her in a manner unrelated to her treatment, the prosecutor’s office said.
Royle turned himself in to Jackson Township police on the date charges were filed, the office said.
In announcing the charges, Billhimer urged anyone who experienced similar actions to contact his office or Jackson Township police.
Royle’s practice involves family and sports chiropractic care, according to his practice’s website. He is also a certified fitness trainer and medical examiner, according to a website biography. He practiced as an associate physician in Blackwood, Camden County, for one year before launching a solo practice in Howell, Monmouth County. He treated patients there for 19 years before opening the Jackson Township facility in 2002.
Stories by Eric Conklin
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Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com.