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MIDVALE -- Police in Midvale say more charges are likely to be filed against a man accused of sexually abusing women during marriage counseling sessions -- sessions he wasn't licensed to hold.
Police say Arturo Tenorio may have been counseling couples since 2006 in Midvale and in other cities throughout the Salt Lake Valley. Police say every counseling session was conducted illegally because Tenorio did not have a license.
Counseling without a license is a third-degree felony and pretending to be a counselor is a misdemeanor.
Police are again making a plea for other victims to come forward. While they're most concerned about other women he may have sexually abused, they would like to talk to anyone Tenorio has tried to help over the years.
Tenorio told his clients he was a coach, but police say he was diagnosing and treating his clients, which violates marriage and family therapist licensing rules.
"Some of his information was very helpful to [his clients], but he has not been trained or been through the schooling that is required," said Cutright. "To me it's like going to a doctor who's not really not a doctor but who feels like he knows enough to be a doctor."
Tenorio has met with seven couples in January.
Police are again making a plea for other victims to come forward. While they're most concerned about other women he may have sexually abused, they would like to talk to anyone Tenorio has tried to help over the years.
Cutright said that could involve up to 50 people who fraudulently received counseling from Tenorio. "We have other couples contact us saying they've been receiving counsel from him," said Cutright. "We are investigating whether or not inappropriate touching or conversations occurred in those counseling sessions."
Detectives are urging people to come forward regardless of their background.
"We know that the defendant has dealt with many different couples with different ethnic groups here in the Salt Lake area," said Det. Jacob Cutright. "We want to assure the public that any victim or victims that come forward will not have to be afraid of any type of legal status investigation with the Midvale Police Department."
Police say Tenorio offered his services to members of the Hispanic community, who were also members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "He said his rates were cheaper than LDS family services," said Cutright.
Tenorio was arrested earlier this week after two women accused Tenorio of molesting them in November.
The women said Tenorio was their marriage counselor and suggested one-on-one sessions, where inappropriate conversations led to inappropriate touching.
Tenorio is in the Salt Lake County jail on $500,000 bail related to the alleged sexual abuse cases. He had his first court appearance on Wednesday. At that time, his attorney said, Tenorio denied any wrongdoing.
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Story compiled with contributions from Marc Giauque and Sandra Yi.
