Judge rejects plea deal for ‘Christian chiropractor’ accused of sexually assaulting patients

HENDRICKS COUNTY, Ind. – A judge rejected a plea deal for an Avon chiropractor accused of sexually assaulting his patients.

Roc Byrd faces 11 charges, including felony counts of rape and sexual battery, after multiple women accused him of abusing them.

Byrd had agreed to a plea deal that would’ve kept him out of jail and had a sentencing hearing on Thursday. Under the terms, Byrd would’ve pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual battery as a Level 6 felony. The other charges would’ve been dismissed.

However, the state and defense disagreed on the interpretation of the plea agreement, which said Byrd would not serve an “executed jail sentence.” The issue revolved around a sentence that included work release.

The prosecution said that there was a distinct difference between jail and a work release program, meaning Byrd’s sentence could include work release.

The defense argued work release would be “contrary to the term in the agreement” and believed the court had no authority to “impose any sentence that includes executed jail time, direct placement on home detention, or direct placement in work release.”

The issue came to a head on Thursday, when the judge threw out Byrd’s plea agreement and ordered the case to go to trial.

According to court documents, Byrd billed himself as a “Christian chiropractor” to put his patients at ease and often prayed with them before treatment. Police arrested him in September 2023 and prosecutors subsequently filed formal charges.

Several former patients said Byrd touched them inappropriately during appointments. After the initial allegations came to light, more victims came forward alleging abuse.

The incidents happened between 2018 and 2022, according to investigators. Some of the victims said Byrd rubbed his genitals against their hands, rubbed their inner thighs during visits or touched their genitals without consent.

A pretrial conference is scheduled for June 26, according to court records.