Psychiatrist Admits He Sexually Assaulted Patient In Burnsville

BURNSVILLE, MN — An Apple Valley psychiatrist pleaded guilty Thursday to criminal sexual conduct with a woman he was treating, authorities said.

Gavin Patrick Meany, 38, plead guilty to four counts of criminal sexual conduct in the third degree in connection with engaging in sexual penetration with a patient, according to the Dakota County Attorney's Office.

At the time of these acts, Meany was treating the woman as a patient in his role as a psychiatrist, police said. Judge Jerome Abrams ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set the sentencing date for April 20.

On Aug. 7, the Burnsville Police Department received a report from a woman who said she had been abused over the last five years by Meany while she had been receiving therapy and psychiatric services from him, police said.

She described multiple acts of sexual touching that occurred in Meany's offices, first in St. Louis Park and later in Burnsville, between May 2018 and August 2019.

The woman also described one act of sexual intercourse that occurred between her and Meany at his Apple Valley home in May 2018.

When questioned by an investigator, Meany acknowledged he "crossed boundaries" with his patient and admitted to the sexual activity, according to authorities.

"Criminal activity of this nature is a significant breach of trust by a psychotherapist as to any patient," Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said in a news release.

"We are pleased the defendant has accepted responsibility for this egregious behavior by his guilty plea today," Backstrom said. "I wish to commend the victim for her courage in coming forward to report these crimes to law enforcement.”