Illinois chiropractor accused of secretly recording 180+ patients pleads guilty

ST. CHARLES, Ill. - A former chiropractor accused of secretly recording patients in various states of undress pleaded guilty Thursday to two felony charges involving a child under the age of 13.

David Hanson, 44, owned and operated Hanson Family Chiropractic in Batavia.

Batavia chiropractor pleads guilty

What we know:

During a hearing at the Kane County Judicial Center, Hanson pleaded guilty to two Class X felony counts — one count of producing Child Sexual Abuse Material and one count of disseminating Child Sexual Abuse Material. Both charges involved a victim under the age of 13 who was fully nude when secretly recorded.

Last November, he was arrested and charged for secretly videotaping more than 180 patients, including children, during treatments such as red-light therapy. Hanson allegedly placed hidden cameras in vents, fans, and other fixtures. 

"It is about as disturbing and evil as it gets. It is unspeakable what Mr. Hanson did," said Matt Moyer, attorney with Clifford Law Offices. 

In February, Hanson was indicted by a Kane County Grand Jury on 76 felony counts, including creating and disseminating Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) and Unauthorized Video Recording. 

Dozens of survivors have filed civil litigation against Hanson and Hanson Family Chiropractic. Some of them attended Thursday's hearing. 

"No patient should ever be used as an object to be consumed or a commodity to be shared. No parent should ever bear the burden of watching the face of their child as they explain the gravity that has been done to them," said Jana, a former patient and mother of one of the survivors. 

"I am no longer able to do things that I used to do without a second thought, like going to try on clothes in a fitting room or going to the doctor without feeling anxious and unsafe. This case is not just videos that were taken, but the futures of all the victims," said MacKenzie, another former patient. 

Their attorneys revealed Thursday that Hanson was also selling some of the secret recordings for profit. 

"Not knowing whether or not these images will ever be removed from the internet — that is one of most serious parts of the violation," said Maura White, senior attorney for Romanucci & Blandon. 

What's next:

Each of the two counts Hanson pleaded guilty to carries a sentence of up to 30 years in prison.

Hanson is due back in court for sentencing on Nov. 10 at 9 a.m. In the meantime, he will remain behind bars.

Under the plea agreement, Hanson will be required to register as a sex offender for life.

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