6 Sex Charges Against Therapist Dismissed

A psychotherapist faced a new felony charge this week after a judge dismissed other charges that he hypnotized and then sexually assaulted female patients in a clinic that specialized in treating victims of sexual abuse.

Municipal Judge Paul L. Metzler dismissed the six felony sexual assault charges Tuesday against Michael LaMont Buffington of Northridge.

“The judge granted a motion to dismiss the charges because the element of duress was not supported,” said Deputy Dist. Atty. Alan Yochelson. “The judge said there was insufficient evidence to show that it was not consensual.”

Yochelson said Buffington, 46, still faces one new count of felony sexual exploitation filed Tuesday for allegedly having sex with two or more of his patients.

Prosecutors have yet to decide whether to appeal the dismissals.

Buffington was investigated after two female patients told police they remembered sexual encounters with him in their dreams.

On May 10, police planted a recording device in the bra of one of the women before she entered Buffington’s Some People’s Children clinic on Cahuenga Boulevard. After Buffington hypnotized the woman, police stormed his office, saying they heard the sound of a zipper, the sound of clothes rustling and heavy breathing. A detective working the case said the patient also was not wearing panties.

Buffington was released on his own recognizance after posting $150,000 bond and agreeing to wear an electronic monitoring device to keep the court apprised of his whereabouts.

From the beginning, defense attorneys argued that there was no force or coercion involved in the incidents, indicating that the patients were not afraid of Buffington.

“I asked for a dismissal then,” said attorney William Graysen, who was assigned to the case at the time. “I guess I was just right all along. They agreed with me.”

According to the Medical Board of California, Buffington is registered as a psychologist’s aide.