Eric Andrew Salata sexually assaulted two patients: police

Eric Andrew Salata

According to police in Naples, Florida, a doctor has been accused of sexually abusing two patients he drugged for painful procedures.

Eric Andrew Salata54, also allegedly gave one of his victims what she thought was tequila.

The first of the victims was a 51-year-old woman, authorities said. According to the arrest affidavit, she went to the Pura Vida Medical Spa on Oct. 22.

“Victim 1 reported that during her procedure, Dr. Eric Salata was raped,” police wrote.

Salata is said to have prescribed her the sedative alprazolam the day before her appointment and told her to take it when she got to her procedure. He warned them the procedure was “excruciatingly painful and would take three to four hours,” officials said.

She said she followed his instructions to take the alprazolam.

dr Salata, the only person in the room during her procedure, administered nitrous oxide for the pain, she said in the arrest affidavit. That and the alprazolam made it so “she wasn’t sane.”

Salata allegedly grabbed her privates and shook them “with force.” According to the affidavit, when she asked if he was touching her vagina, he let go.

“Victim 1 said she used more nitrous oxide because she was in so much pain,” police said. “Victim 1 said Dr. Salata told her he had also experienced the procedure and knew how painful it was, and that he drank whisks[e]y to help with the pain.”

She said she didn’t drink whiskey, and Salata offered her tequila, officials said.

“DR. Salata provided Victim 1 with an unknown clear liquid, which she believed to be tequila, and she drank it,” officials said.

The woman had “fainted”. The next thing she remembered were isolated moments when Salata sexually assaulted and raped her.

“My brain won’t let me,” she said in the second instance.

“You’re a smart girl,” Salata reportedly said.

She said she passed out again.

The second victim was a 72-year-old woman. She said she had an appointment on Monday. Salata reportedly offered her laughing gas after she was in pain during a procedure. She said she agreed to take it.

“Victim 2 felt that Dr. Salata would ‘turn it up,'” police said in reference to the nitrous oxide.

This allegedly resulted in Salata raping her, leaving a bruise on her lip where he kissed her.

“Victim 2 said she couldn’t believe it because she was almost 73 years old,” police said.

The women were each subjected to a rape kit, officials said.

Salata asked for a lawyer after he was arrested and taken to a police interrogation room, officials said.

He faces two counts of sexual harassment by a person aged 18 or older against a victim aged 18 or older. Salata posted $200,000 bail from the Collier County Jail on Tuesday. He doesn’t have a lawyer.

[Mugshot via Naples Police Department]

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