Yuma doctor accused of sexual abuse in court

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Edsel Sandoval, the former Yuma doctor accused of sexually abusing his patients, will appear in court Tuesday for his final management meeting.

Sandoval was arrested in February of this year as part of an investigation that began in July 2023 after three of Sandoval’s patients came forward to report sexual abuse at a medical facility where Sandoval practiced.

According to court documents, the alleged abuse dates back to April 2022 and the victims are all women between the ages of 20 and 43.

Sandoval pleaded not guilty at his court hearings in February and March.

But in April, eight more of Sandoval’s former patients came forward and filed charges of sexual abuse. According to the Yuma Police Department (YPD), the women are between 18 and 65 years old.

Additionally, recent court documents state that Sandoval has been charged with 13 sexual abuse offenses, but since eight more victims have come forward, he faces 26 charges.