Cary Veterinarian Convicted Of Inappropriately Touching Employee

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — A McHenry County jury has found a Cary veterinarian guilty of two counts of battery for inappropriately touching a subordinate employee on two separate occasions, prosecutors announced Tuesday.

According to the McHenry County State's Attorney's Office, 65-year-old Duane Kimmey was convicted following a two-day jury trial. Prosecutors said the incidents occurred in May and June 2023 while the victim worked under Kimmey's supervision at a veterinary practice, where he intentionally touched her on the buttocks on two occasions.

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Kimmey is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 23.

During the trial, the victim testified about both incidents, telling jurors she delayed reporting the conduct for about two months before notifying the office manager, the veterinary practice owners and eventually the Cary Police Department after the behavior escalated, according to a news release from the McHenry County State's Attorney's Office.

Prosecutors said Kimmey admitted to his employers that he touched the victim and later acknowledged during his trial testimony that he intentionally touched her on both occasions, that the conduct was inappropriate and that the victim never gave verbal consent.

The defense argued the victim welcomed or invited the contact, but jurors rejected that claim and returned guilty verdicts on both battery counts.

"This verdict reinforces that every employee has the right to a workplace free from unwanted physical contact and harassment, regardless of their position or relationship to a supervisor," McHenry County State's Attorney Randi Freese said in a statement. "More than anything, we commend the victim for finding the courage to come forward and testify about these deeply personal incidents. Today's verdict demonstrates that a victim's credibility is determined by the evidence—not by when they are able to report the abuse."