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A West Suburban doctor has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a patient during an examination, according to the Office of Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez.

Ricardo Arze, 53, of Berwyn, was convicted after a jury found him guilty of criminal sexual assault after a trial at the Maywood Courthouse. He faces up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced next month.

According to prosecutors, in 2005 the victim made an appointment to see the defendant at his office in Berwyn after she began experiencing flu like symptoms. Arze, who was a general practitioner, operated out of an office at 7124 W. Cermak in Berwyn.

The victim, who was 48 at the time of the incident and does not speak English, testified through a translator that the defendant inappropriately touched her and sexually assaulted her during the examination. The victim later reported the assault to authorities.

Today, the jury convicted Arze after deliberating for four hours. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 4th.

Today marks the first conviction by Cook County Prosecutors after an investigation located numerous other patients who had experienced similar treatment by Dr. Arze during his exams. In total, prosecutors have filed charges on behalf of 15 other victims as well as a separate charge of practicing medicine without a license. In that case, authorities received information that the defendant was continuing to see patients after his arrest even though his medical license was suspended. Undercover officers went to Arze’s office and he was arrested after he provided treatment one of the undercover officers.

The other cases against Arze are still pending.

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