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Chiropractor Riggin sentenced to 20 years in rape case

Tribune Staff

Former Great Falls chiropractor Reese Riggin was sentenced to 20 years in prison with 15 years suspended Thursday as part of a plea deal.

Riggin, 50, was accused of digitally penetrating a female employee during a chiropractic adjustment at Big Sky Chiropractic on an undisclosed date between 2009 and 2010. The adjustments were a mandatory condition of the woman’s employment.

Charging documents accuse Riggin of sexually touching two unidentified female employees, who worked for him between 2009 and 2011, at one point allegedly penetrating one of the women’s genitalia with his finger.

He pleaded guilty to one count of sexual intercourse without consent in March.

During that hearing, Riggin was asked whether he committed the act for sexual gratification, and Riggin said he didn’t remember. Riggin said he has memory problems stemming from a brain injury he suffered in a car crash.

Former chiropractor admits to intercourse without consent

Prosecutor Dan Guzynski did not call any sentencing witnesses, though he read from victim impact statements submitted by the victim in this case and another woman who would have served as a trial witness.

Guzynski said in court the second woman referenced in the charging document came forward with sexual misconduct allegations against Riggin, but the statute of limitations had passed, meaning it was too late to file a criminal charge.

“I don’t think Mr. Riggin takes responsibility for his own actions,” Guzynski read from the witness’ statement.

He went on to share the witness’s fears for her safety and the turmoil she faced after filing a civil case against Riggin.

The prosecutor indicated the woman would have testified about Riggin’s prior alleged acts of sexual abuse at trial after presiding District Court Judge Dirk Sandefur ruled the woman’s testimony as admissible, along with the testimony of three Idaho women with similar claims.

Riggin’s attorney, Meghan Lulf-Sutton asked the Montana Supreme Court to take over the case after Sandefur’s ruling on the prior acts witnesses. That request was denied.

Judge: Prior allegations admissible in rape case

Riggin’s chiropractic license was revoked Aug. 7, 2014, in response to the allegations, according to the Montana Board of Chiropractors.

Riggin previously had his chiropractic license revoked in Idaho following allegations by female patients who said he had touched them inappropriately. In 1999, he pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation by a medical care provider.

Lulf-Sutton said that misdemeanor charge stemmed from a consensual sexual relationship with a patient.

In 2008, Riggin received a probationary chiropractic license in Montana, after several attempts to do so both in Montana and other states.

Guzynski said in court Thursday that a “favorable” recommendation from Dr. Michael Scolatti of the Montana Sex Offender Treatment Association following Riggin’s parole allowed him to obtain the probationary license.

The prosecutor said Riggin did not practice for long in Montana because of his repeated offenses against women.

Guzynski read from the victim’s statement, “My life will never be the same. I will never be the same. He robbed me of happiness.”

During Thursday’s sentencing Riggin apologized first to family and friends and then to the victim.

“I need to apologize to (the victim) that the actions of mine have caused so much pain to her and her family,” Riggin said.

He then read from a prepared statement. Riggin began to cry as he apologized to his family again, explaining that his eight children now carry a burden.

“I’ll go through my life knowing most things I say and do will be scrutinized,” he continued, listing the moments he will miss with his children, who live in Canada.

Reese Riggin hugs his family and says his goodbyes Thursday morning after Judge Dirk Sandefur accepted Riggin’s plea agreement in which he pleaded guilty to one count of sexual intercourse without consent and was sentenced to 20 years in prison with 15 years suspended.

Lulf-Sutton referenced multiple letters submitted to the court on Riggin’s behalf. She listed the writers as leaders and members of Riggin’s church, a former female employee who said he was never inappropriate, a teacher, another chiropractor and the director of the Children’s Receiving Home.

Court files include copies of the letters, including the letters submitted by Carrie Galvez, Bishop Brian E. Smith and R.A. Reynolds. D.C. Reynolds wrote he trusted his patients with Riggin when he was vacationing or ill, and he would “do so again were he still in practice.”

Both Guzynski and Lulf-Sutton asked Sandefur to impose the sentence recommended in the binding plea agreement — 20 years in prison with 15 years suspended.

Sandefur expressed frustration with the “take it or leave it” plea deal that forced the court to follow the recommendation or send the case back to trial.

The judge indicated he would have been inclined to sentence Riggin to at least five additional years in prison, if not more. Sandefur asked the state to provide additional argument supporting the deal.

Guzynski consulted with the victim and witness, who were present in the courtroom, and explained that while they were both willing to testify, they supported the plea agreement because it included guaranteed prison time. He said a trial was a risk the women did not want to take.

Sandefur appeared to be satisfied with that response.

“These sex cases are the hardest cases to prove at trial,” the judge responded.

Sandefur deviated from the sex offender risk tier designation recommendation made in the psychosexual evaluation by MSOTA member Dr. Bowman Smelko, designating Riggin a Tier 2, or moderate risk, offender. Smelko had recommended a Tier 1 designation.

The state requested special probation conditions prohibiting Riggin from supervising any female employees or working on-site at any family business during business hours. Guzynski specifically referenced Flippin’ Family Fun, which Riggin’s wife owns, as a place where young women likely work.

The prosecutor noted the concern involved Riggin having authority over young women. Sandefur issued the special conditions, noting that all sex offenders are not pedophiles, and the risk outlined in the psychosexual evaluation is to young women under Riggin’s authority.

The court imposed the special conditions barring positions of authority and working on-site at any family business during business hours.

Riggin was remanded into the custody of the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office for transport to the Montana State Prison at the conclusion of the hearing.