Former chiropractor admits to intercourse without consent
A former Great Falls chiropractor accused of rape for his conduct with a female employee changed his plea in court Monday morning.
Reese Riggin, 48, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual intercourse without consent through a plea agreement with the state.
Riggin admitted to digitally penetrating a female employee during an adjustment at Big Sky Chiropractic on an undisclosed date between 2009 and 2010. Court documents say adjustments for employees were mandatory conditions of employment.
When asked whether he committed the act for sexual gratification, Riggin said he didn’t remember. Riggin said he has memory problems stemming from a brain injury he suffered in a car crash.
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To meet the legal requirement for a plea change, Riggin stipulated to the language used in Montana code, which states a person commits the act to degrade or embarrass the victim, or for their own sexual gratification.
Riggin said he could be found guilty, “under the current way the evidence is allowed in.”
Riggin was likely referring to a pre-trial ruling by presiding District Judge Dirk Sandefur. The judge ruled that evidence of prior sexual misconduct allegations against Riggin by former employees in Idaho would be allowed at trial. The defense asked the Montana Supreme Court to take over the case after that ruling, but the request was denied.
The binding plea agreement carries a recommended sentence of 20 years in the Montana State Prison with 15 suspended. If Sandefur decides the recommended sentence is not appropriate, Riggin will have the opportunity to withdraw his guilty plea.
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The state also agreed not to seek revocation of the $100,000 bond Riggin posted after his arrest.
Riggin’s attorney, Meghan Sutton, said the defense is in the process of choosing an evaluator to complete the psychosexual evaluation. She requested the sentencing hearing be held in the fall. Sandefur indicated the hearing will likely be scheduled in July.
Sandefur ordered Riggin to report to the Montana Adult Probation and Parole Office today to schedule his interview for the presentence investigation.