A North Coast chiropractor is facing serious charges following allegations he sexually assaulted a 26-year-old female patient.

Dr. Adam Lopez, 58, of Astoria, whose office is located on Harbor Street in Warrenton, was arrested Monday after the victim came forward to Clatsop County Sheriffs deputies.

An investigation began Friday, after the woman told law enforcement Lopez intentionally touched sexually intimate parts of her body and subjected her to touching his groin during treatment procedures at the North Coast Chiropractic Center. The alleged assault occurred over two visits. Clatsop County Sheriff Tom Bergin said the first time, the victim thought it wasnt right, but on the second visit she knew it wasnt right so she contacted us.

She also alleged Lopez attempted to establish a relationship with his patient outside the professional setting.

Lopez is charged with nine counts of third-degree sexual abuse and was booked into the Clatsop County Jail just at noon Monday. He was released at 4:15 p.m. after posting bail.

This isnt the first time Lopez stands accused of inappropriate conduct. In 2006, Lopez was suspended for 30 days after admitting to having an intimate sexual relationship with a patient, which both he and the patient kept concealed from their respective spouses. The State Board of Chiropractic Examiners also disciplined Lopez with three years of probation, a $5,000 civil penalty and mandatory attendance at an ethics program. Lopez was also required to appear before Western States Chiropractic School students to share what he gained from his experience in the ethics program at least three times during the three-year probation.

The Sheriffs Office has asked that if anyone else was subjected to inappropriate sexual contact while undergoing treatments by Lopez, they should contact Senior Deputy Sheriff Tim Guest at 503-325-8635.