HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 07-24 Savage-based optometrist accused of exposing himself to patient SHAKOPEE NEWS Savage-based optometrist accused of exposing himself to patient- Shakopee Valley News... Page 1 of 2
Savage-based optometrist accused of exposing
himself to patient JUL 2 4 2014
By ALEX HALL ahall @swpub.com Posted: Tuesday, July 22, 2014 8:15 am
An optometrist who operates in Savage is accused
of exposing himself to a patient during an eye
' p �� w
exam last month, and police say it isn t the firstt
time the man has been accused of such behavior. �� �� � � ���� � 4
Maplewood resident Steven Charles Blashill, 55, is
charged in Scott County District Court with
indecent exposure, a misdemeanor.
According to the initial June 19 police report, a ir,_
woman reported to Savage police that an Savage Family Eye Center
optometrist had exposed himself to her during an
eye exam earlier that day. The woman said she was Dr. Steven Blashill, who is accused of
getting tint put on the windows of her vehicle, but exposing himself to a patient, works at the
that she was told she needed a prescription for the Savage Family Eye Center, 5809 Egan Dr.
level of tint she was getting, and that the business
referred her to Blashill's clinic. The woman walked into Savage Family Eye Center at 5809 Egan
Drive and was able to get an exam right away.
During the exam, the woman said she noticed that Blashill's pants were unzipped, but she didn't
want to say anything because she thought it was an accident and didn't want to embarrass him.
However, as the exam went on and Blashill was moving around, his genitals allegedly became
more exposed. The woman said she also noticed that he was not wearing underwear. At one point
the doctor allegedly looked down at himself, and the woman said it was clear that he knew that his
genitals were exposed and chose to do nothing about it.
The woman said she became uncomfortable, made up an excuse and left the business. She said the
doctor never touched her or made any sexual comments.
An officer then went to the optometrist's office and asked to speak with Blashill in private. The
doctor said he didn't know what the officer wanted to talk about. When the officer relayed the
woman's allegations, Blashill allegedly became very nervous, started stuttering and his voice
started cracking. Blashill said that it was an accident, and that he didn't realize that his pants were
unzipped until after the woman left. When asked why he wasn't wearing underwear, the man
allegedly said "I just didn't wear any today; I normally do."
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Savage-based optometrist accused of exposing himself to patient- Shakopee Valley News... Page 2 of 2
Police said Blashill has previously been accused of exposing himself— once in Cottage Grove in
2011 and once in Newport in 2012. In both of those cases, Blashill received plea deals and was
convicted of disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor.
In addition, the Minnesota Board of Optometry suspended Blashill's license in 2003 following
allegations that he had provided care while under the influence of alcohol and that he had a long
history of alcohol dependency. That suspension was stayed as long as Blashill met certain
conditions, including one requiring that he abstain from alcohol. Blashill allegedly failed to meet
that condition, and the suspension was imposed in December 2003. In 2007, the suspension was
again stayed so Blashill could practice as long as he met certain conditions, and in 2010, Blashill's
unconditional license was reinstated.
Randy Snyder, executive director of the Minnesota Board of Optometry, said he could not confirm
or deny whether there are any pending complaints against Blashill, explaining that he is not
allowed to discuss complaints until they are processed and classified as public.
The Savage Police Department says that if anyone has had an experience with Blashill that might
involve indecent exposure, they should contact the police at (952) 882-2600.
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