A Twin Cities psychiatrist pleaded guilty Thursday to sexually assaulting a female patient at his south metro office and home.

Dr. Gavin Patrick Meany, 38, of Apple Valley, entered the guilty plea to four counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, according to the Dakota County Attorney's Office. Judge Jerome Abrams will sentence him April 20 in Hastings.

In August 2019, a woman told Burnsville police that she had been abused over the past five years by Meany while receiving psychiatric treatment from him for an eating disorder and past sexual trauma.

She provided police with a detailed statement as well as physical evidence and documents pertaining to sexual contact, which first occurred in Meany's office in St. Louis Park and later in his Burnsville office and at his Apple Valley home. (The St. Louis Park allegations are under investigation by the Hennepin County Attorney's Office.)

When questioned by an investigator, Meany acknowledged he "crossed boundaries" with the victim.

Prosecutors say his behavior started out as touching and escalated to sexual intercourse while his wife and son were traveling.

"Criminal activity of this nature is a significant breach of trust by a psychotherapist as to any patient," Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said in a statement. "We are pleased the defendant has accepted responsibility for this egregious behavior by his guilty plea.

"I wish to commend the victim for her courage in coming forward to report these crimes to law enforcement."

STAFF REPORT