KSB doctor sentenced in prostitution bust

ROCKFORD – A longtime KSB Hospital physician charged in August in a sex trafficking investigation was sentenced today to 2 years of conditional discharge for soliciting a sex act, a misdemeanor.

As part of his plea agreement, two felony counts of of patronizing a prostitute, two felony counts of entering a place of prostitution with intent, and another misdemeanor count of solicitation of a sexual act were dismissed.

Mark K. Myers, 53, of Oregon, a family practice physician with KSB for more than 20 years, was charged Aug. 20 in two cases. Charges of entering a place of prostitution were added in each case in an indictment 8 days later.

He also was sentenced to 180 days in jail, with 1 day credit for time served; that sentence was stayed.

Conditional discharge means the judge has set certain conditions of his release; if Myers violates the terms, he could be sent to jail for up to a year. The 180-day jail sentence will be dropped if he successfully serves his conditional discharge.

As is common in such cases, Myers was ordered to be tested for STDs; if those tests are positive, the victim will be notified. The results of the test will not be public.

Because the conviction is for a misdemeanor, his medical license is not in jeopardy.

Myers has been on a leave of absence from KSB since his arrest.

A statement from KSB on Myers' employment status will be released Friday, hospital spokesman Kevin Marx said.

Myers, who practices in Oregon, was among 28 people charged in Winnebago County Court in the investigation, which centered on two Rockford lingerie shops.

A former CEO, a bank president, an elected official, a youth soccer coach, another doctor and other prominent Rockford-area business leaders were among those charged after a monthslong investigation into what police say was a sex trade operation at Chantilly Lace, 106 Seventh St., and Exclusive Lingerie Boutique, 77 Seventh St.

The two shops were raided May 23 and shut down down for code violations. Also charged was Peggy Smith, 57, of Winnebago, owner of Chantilly Lace; she faces 12 counts of promoting a place of prostitution.