Oregon doctor convicted in sex sting returns to work later this month

DIXON – The KSB family practitioner convicted Thursday of a misdemeanor sex crime will be returning to work at the end of the month, the hospital said in a statement this afternoon.

Mark K. Myers, 53, of Oregon, was sentenced Thursday to 2 years of conditional discharge for soliciting a sex act, and to 180 days, which will be stayed if he successfully follows the conditions of his discharge.

As part of his plea agreement, two felony counts 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.

Myers, who practices in Oregon as part of the KSB Medical Group, has been on a leave of absence since being charged in Winnebago County Court on Aug. 20.

He will return March 23, hospital spokesman Kevin Marx said in a statement.

Myers has undergone counseling, and will return “after many discussions at the administrative and board level, and with the community, along with the resolution of the judicial matter,” Marx wrote.

Myers has been a clinical leader on KSB’s staff for 25 years, and neither his license nor clinical privileges at the hospital were impacted by the charges, Marx said.

“We are dedicated to the safety of our patients and the quality of care that we provide, and believe that neither has been, or will be compromised in any way. We understand that this situation may be uncomfortable for some,and we will actively work with those patients to help them seek a new primary care physician, should they so choose.”

Myers 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 trafficking operation at Chantilly Lace, 106 Seventh St., and Exclusive Lingerie Boutique, 77 Seventh St.

The two shops were raided May 23 and shut 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.