Erin Hill
Gadsden County News Service
A former Florida State Hospital employee is facing a felony sexual offense following allegations that he engaged in sexual misconduct with a patient at the Chattahoochee facility.
Justin Hall was arrested after a patient accused him of exposing himself and making unwanted sexual advances during encounters in his office, according to arrest documents.
The patient told investigators that during one encounter she was in Hall’s office waiting for a telephone call when Hall allegedly placed his hand on her knee and kissed her.
According to the arrest documents, the patient said Hall told her not to tell anyone. She told investigators she attempted to take a highlighter and pen from the office as evidence that she had been there because the office did not have cameras.
Hall allegedly demanded the items back before exposing himself to the patient. The patient told investigators Hall grabbed her head in an attempt to have her perform a sex act, but she refused.
The patient also described another encounter in which Hall allegedly asked her to lift her bra and touched her. During that encounter, Hall allegedly gave her a note that said, “I love you.”
Investigators interviewed Hall, who had worked at Florida State Hospital for 23 years. Hall told investigators that meetings with patients were documented and conducted in groups rather than one-on-one, according to the arrest documents.
Hall initially denied meeting individually with the patient and denied the sexual misconduct allegations.
Investigators later confronted Hall with surveillance footage that they said showed Hall and the patient entering his office. Hall then said he had forgotten about those instances, according to the arrest documents.
During a search of Hall’s office, investigators reported finding a crumpled note consistent with the note the patient had described.
The Florida Department of Children and Families, which operates Florida State Hospital, said it acted immediately upon learning of the allegations. The department confirmed Hall is no longer employed there and said it continues to cooperate with law enforcement.
Court records show Hall was released on a $5,000 bond.
The allegations against Hall have not been proven in court.