A Wellington doctor is in custody today after authorities say he engaged in sexual activity with a patient, according to the Lorain County drug task force.

According to Gregg Mehling, a detective with the task force, a one-count misdemeanor indictment against Jang Kongthong, 69, of Independence, Ohio, was presented to the Lorain County grand jury on Sept 1.

“It alleges he engaged in sexual activity for hire at his former medical office on Dickson Street in Wellington,” Mehling said.

According to the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, Kongthong is being held on $1,000 bond on a count of procuring prostitution.

Kongthong was arrested at his home in Independence about 8:30 this morning after the drug task force received a complaint “from a credible individual,” Mehling said.

“He’s made some admissions that got him to the position he’s in today,” Mehling said.

Mehling said he believes Kongthong has spent “the better part of 40 years as a general practitoner” and “at least 10 years, maybe longer, in Wellington.”

“We allege that he engaged in sexual activity for hire with one patient over about a six-month period,” Mehling said, explaining that authorities believe he paid for sexual activity with a female under his care. Mehling wouldn’t say what he believed that pay was, leaving open the possibility that it could have been either cash or prescription drugs.

When asked if other victims might exist, Mehling said, “we know of one at this point.”

“If anyone else has anything to share, we certainly want to talk to them,” he added.

Stephen Meckler, attorney for a 41-year-old Wellington woman who has filed a civil suit against Kongthong for “improper touching,” said the woman in the criminal case and his client might not be the only victims, as he’s been contacted by others.

“I’ve had a few people call me and indicate they had strange experiences with him” after the initial civil case hit newspapers, Meckler said.

Meckler said his client had a “regular doctor-patient arraignment, period” with Kungthong but felt Kongthong touched her “in an inappropriate fashion not related to the examination which was being performed.”

He said that inappropriate touching caused his client severe emotional distress and mental anguish and required counseling.

Of Kongthong’s arrest, Mehling said: “We think medical people are like police officers, teachers and others in a position of public trust. We think there’s a higher standard. When they use their position or their office for personal gain, if it’s a violation of law, we think they should be held accountable for their actions.”

According to Mehling, Kongthong is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. in Oberlin Municipal Court.

The woman involved has not been charged, Mehling said. He said while it’s always a possibility she might be, it does not appear likely at this point.