Doctor pleads not guilty to sexually abusing women at Missoula hospital

MISSOULA – A doctor accused of sexually abusing multiple victims at a Missoula hospital pleaded not guilty during his first court appearance Friday.

The Missoula County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Dr. Tyler James Hurst after several patients said they were in the emergency room at Dr. Community Medical Center in 2023. Hurst to have been sexually abused.

Court documents released statements from five Jane Does.

At Friday’s hearing, another person spoke up and said they were from Dr. Hurst was sexually abused. According to the public prosecutor’s office, a total of nine people accuse Dr. Hurst accused of attacking her.

Dr. Hurst attended his first court appearance virtually from a sex addiction treatment facility in Mississippi.

Against Dr. Hurst faces multiple charges, including sexual intercourse without consent, two counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual assault.

He is currently being treated at a sexual addiction facility in Mississippi.

Judge Shane Vannatta issued a detention and release order for Dr. Hurst. Dr. Hurst has seven days to turn himself in to local authorities in Mississippi.

The judge ruled that Dr. Hurst was not required to return to Montana to face charges.

During the hearing, the State requested that Dr. Hurst had to return to Montana for his first booking and a buccal swab for DNA analysis, but the judge overruled that.

Judge Vannatta ruled that Dr. Hurst is not allowed to practice medicine or perform any examinations that require physical contact.

Dr. Hurst was ordered to surrender his passport and have no contact with the victims or witnesses in the case.

According to court documents, Dr. Hurst accessed the medical records and found the address of one of the victims. She stated that she is “afraid that” Hurst might find her.

A third witness – identified as a local doctor – claims “that a confidential DOE confided that the defendant had threatened her with harm to prevent her from speaking out about the allegations.”

Prosecutors say Dr. Hurst’s assaults “have become increasingly brazen and violent over time,” which she said shows that Hurst is “unable to control his impulses without significant treatment intervention.”

If Dr. Hurst returns to Montana, he must notify the state and will be placed under GPS surveillance.

Dr. Hurst was employed by a local medical group that contracted with CMC, which revoked his clinical privileges.

Dr. Hurst’s next Missoula District Count appearance is scheduled for June 6, 2024.

– Information from Mark Thorsell and Kathryn Roley included in this report