Judge Mark Hocker told Jeffrey Colvin the “terrible lapse in judgement” that led Colvin to inappropriately touch an employee during a medical exam was terribly wounding.
However, Hocker, who presides over Lubbock County Court at Law #1, said he didn’t believe a lengthy jail sentence was appropriate for Colvin, who was found guilty by a jury in December of a Class A Misdemeanor Count of indecent assault.
The Lubbock County Courthouse.
“We do put people in jail that we are afraid of,” Hocker said. “There is no evidence that you are that person. But there has to be an accountability”
Instead, Hocker placed Colvin, 71, on 18 months of probation and ordered a $4,000 fine and 40 hours of community service.
Colvin, who opted for the judge to determine his sentence, faces up to a year in jail if his probation is revoked.
Hocker also ordered Colvin to serve three days of shock jail time.
“I want you to have a taste of what that’s like,” Hocker told Colvin. “To encourage you to fly straight.”
He also ordered Colvin to write a letter of apology to his former employee, who is also suing him civilly.
“If and when that civil suit is resolved, I expect you to write a sincere handwritten letter apologizing to her,” Hocker said.
According to the Texas Medical Board, Colvin’s conviction on the charge, which was described as a crime of moral turpitude, resulted in the suspension of his medical license.
As part of his probation, Hocker ordered that if Colvin was allowed to practice medicine again, he would not be able to be around patients alone.
Colvin was also ordered to go through six weeks of counseling that will address his sexual urges.
However, Colvin, who is appealing his case, will not begin serving his punishments until after his conviction is affirmed.
Investigating alleged inappropriate behavior
During the guilt-innocence phase of the trial, jurors heard from the victim who said Colvin had been pestering her for weeks to allow him to evaluate her for possible fat-transplant surgery.
She said Colvin hoped to expand his pain management practice and offer fat transfer augmentation surgery and vaginal rejuvenation. She said Colvin wanted his employees to get the procedure as a way to promote his work.
She said that on Sept. 1, 2023, she ultimately agreed to an evaluation, which involved him touching her genitals, alone with Colvin in her office.
However, she said once the evaluation was complete, Colvin’s hands remained on her genitals and he began touching her inappropriately and made sexual comments.
Prosecutors also showed jurors a statement Colvin wrote that he “lingered” on his employee’s genitals after the evaluation was over.
Colvin’s punishment was handed after a sentencing hearing during which the court heard character witnesses, including former Lubbock-area State Rep. Rep. Carl Isett, who described the pain management doctor as a loyal friend, devoted father and Godly man.
Isett said Colvin has been a friend for 40 years and described him as “a friend who sticks closer than a brother,” a reference to Proverbs 18:24.
He said Colvin has helped him get through challenging periods in his life.
“I’ve always admired Jeff,” he said. “For his devotion in all matters, his commitment in all matters and his openness to be vulnerable and to not just accept criticism but do it in a way that he also gives wisdom and sound advice when I asked.”
The character witnesses told the court that a jail sentence would not serve the ends of justice.
Colvin’s attorney, Michael King, asked the court for a time-served punishment or a 12-month probation term, arguing that incarcerating Colvin, who has no prior criminal history, would not benefit the community.
After Colvin’s conviction, the Texas Medical Board suspended his license and ordered him to cease practicing medicine immediately.
“He’s not going to be seeing any more patients,” King said.
Colvin’s wife, Susan, told the court that her husband is now shutting down his practice and is paying their remaining employees out of his inheritance money.
King argued to the court that loss of his client’s license has financially wiped him out.
“His reputation has been destroyed. His career has been ended,” he said.
However, prosecutors asked the court for a jail sentence saying that as a doctor, Colvin was held to a higher moral standard.
“(Colvin’s) actions and admissions violated his position and trust over the victim,” she said.
Prosecutor Hannah Beetler said Colvin’s reputation as an upstanding member of the community further aggravates the case as it showed he leveraged his status to violate his employee.
“He chose to commit this indecent assault,” said
She argued to the court that a jail sentence would send a message to people like Colvin that his behavior would not be tolerated in Lubbock County.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock doctor sentenced for inappropriately touching employee
