Former Batavia chiropractor David Hanson pleaded guilty to two felony counts involving the secret recording of a nude child under 13, facing up to 30 years in prison per count. Arrested last November and indicted on 76 felony counts in February, Hanson admitted to hiding cameras in treatment rooms to film over 180 patients.
The Guilty Plea at the Kane County Judicial Center
David Hanson, 44, operated Hanson Family Chiropractic in Batavia, Illinois, before his arrest last autumn. During a hearing at the Kane County Judicial Center, Hanson entered guilty pleas to two Class X felony counts. Court documents show that these comprised a single count of manufacturing Child Sexual Abuse Material and a single count of sharing Child Sexual Abuse Material, both involving an entirely unclothed victim younger than 13.
A maximum prison term of 30 years applies to each of the two counts to which Hanson entered a guilty plea. Furthermore, the plea agreement mandates that Hanson must register as a sex offender for life. He remains behind bars while awaiting a formal sentencing hearing scheduled for November 10 at 9 a.m., according to the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Uncovering Hidden Cameras Across Treatment Rooms
Investigators first zeroed in on Hanson last November after discovering he had secretly videotaped more than 180 patients. Victims included both adults and children undergoing routine treatments such as red-light therapy. Rather than focusing on legitimate patient care, Hanson allegedly concealed miniature cameras inside office vents, fans, and other structural fixtures.
The scope of the operation expanded when a Kane County Grand Jury indicted him in February on 76 separate felony counts. Beyond unauthorized video recording, the charges highlighted the creation and dissemination of illicit digital material. Attorneys representing victims later revealed that Hanson went a step further, actively selling some of the secret recordings for personal financial profit.
| Case Detail | Fact / Figure |
|---|---|
| Defendant | David Hanson, 44 |
| Practice Location | Hanson Family Chiropractic, Batavia, Illinois |
| Total Indictment Counts | 76 felony counts (indicted February) |
| Plea Charges | 2 Class X felony counts (Producing and Disseminating CSAM) |
| Identified Victims | More than 180 patients (including children) |
| Sentencing Date | November 10 at 9 a.m. |
| Mandatory Terms | Lifetime sex offender registration; up to 30 years per count |
The Human Toll and Ongoing Legal Fallout
Dozens of survivors have stepped forward to file civil litigation against both Hanson and Hanson Family Chiropractic. Several of those affected attended the Thursday hearing to witness the legal accountability unfold firsthand.
Matt Moyer, an attorney with Clifford Law Offices, did not mince words regarding the nature of the crimes. As Moyer stated, “It is about as disturbing and evil as it gets. It is unspeakable what Mr. Hanson did.”
Jana, a former patient and mother of one of the survivors, spoke candidly outside the courtroom about the enduring trauma. “No patient should ever be used as an object to be consumed or a commodity to be shared. No parent should ever bear the burden of watching the face of their child as they explain the gravity that has been done to them,” she said.
Another survivor, MacKenzie, shared similar sentiments about the loss of basic safety in public spaces. “I am no longer able to do things that I used to do without a second thought, like going to try on clothes in a fitting room or going to the doctor without feeling anxious and unsafe. This case is not just videos that were taken, but the futures of all the victims,” she noted.
Maura White, senior attorney for Romanucci & Blandon, pointed to the permanence of the internet as a central nightmare for those targeted. “Not knowing whether or not these images will ever be removed from the internet — that is one of most serious parts of the violation,” White explained.
Reflecting on Institutional Oversight and Patient Safety
As the legal proceedings approach their November conclusion, the focus remains firmly on the victims navigating the long road toward healing. What safeguards do you think medical boards should implement to better protect patients in private examination rooms?
