BATTLE GROUND — Battle Ground Police officers arrested Mark S. LaRue today on charges of Rape II and Indecent Liberties.
LaRue, 64, of Kalama, is a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic and owner of Battle Ground Family Chiropractic located at 713 W Main Street, Suite 102.
The arrest is the result of an investigation that began in May of this year when two patients of LaRue’s reported that he touched them inappropriately in a sexual manner while they received chiropractic and massage treatments at his Battle Ground clinic. The patients, two females, are aged 22 and 47.
During the investigation detectives found that three different women made similar allegations of inappropriate touching by LaRue in 2003 and 2004. While reports were made to the Department of Health and one to the Battle Ground Police Department, there was not sufficient evidence at that time to charge or prosecute LaRue.
LaRue has practiced chiropractic medicine at his clinic in Battle Ground since 2002. The investigation remains open; detectives ask that anyone with information that might assist in their investigation contact Detective Sgt. Kim Armstrong at (360) 342- 5252 or by email at kim.armstrong@cityofbg.org.
LaRue was taken into custody and booked into the Clark County Jail. Charges of Rape in the Second Degree [RCW 9A.44.050(1)(d)] and Indecent Liberties [RCW 9A.44.100(1)(d)] have been forwarded to the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office.
LaRue received Doctor of Chiropractic licenses in both Washington and Oregon. Questions regarding the status of such licenses should be referred to the respective state licensing agencies.
The investigation is ongoing, no further information will be released at this time.
Information provided by City of Battle Ground.
