Counselor Sentenced for Sexual Assault of Patient at Salisbury Mental Health Facility

An Allentown man who worked as a counselor at a mental health facility in Salisbury Township, was sentenced Aug. 15 in Lehigh County Court to four to 23 months in jail and two years probation to one count of institutional sexual assault of an 18-year-old woman, according to Lehigh County District Attorney James Martin's office. Valenzuela plead guilty.

Eric Valenzuela, who was 41 at the time, was charged in 2009 with engaging in sexual acts with the woman, a client at Step by Step residential mental health facility at 704 Weil St.

Both parties agreed the sex was consensual, according to The Morning Call. The woman testified earlier she was suffering from bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety.

"This is a mentally challenged young woman. You were in position of authority over her," Senior Judge Lawrence Brenner said at the hearing.

"From the bottom of my heart, I wish this had never happened. It's a big embarrassment to me and to my family," Valenzuela said.

Valenzuela was also sentenced to 50 hours of community service and immediate work-release.