Michigan hypnotherapist found guilty of sexually assaulting patients during sessions

FLINT, Mich. – A jury in Genesee County found a hypnotherapist guilty of multiple sexual assaults.

73-year-old John Gary Tomlinson was convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, five counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of unlawful imprisonment. The convictions stem from multiple assaults that took place at his Grand Blanc Township therapy office between 2013 and 2017.

Some allegations go back to 2007.

According to authorities, victims testified they were under various states of mental incapacity while undergoing hypnotherapy when he assaulted them.

After a victim reported in April 2017 that Tomlinson sexually assaulted her, police began to investigate and multiple other victims came forward. He was arrested and charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct, unlawful imprisonment and assault by strangulation.

Tomlinson will be sentenced Sept. 30. He faces the possibility of life behind bars.