BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. — Prosecutors in Jackson County say a former Blue Springs doctor sexually assaulted teenage boys and now faces eight counts of statutory sodomy. Joseph Mackey, 43, turned himself into Blue Springs Police Monday morning, August 17, and then posted $50,000 bond.
In 2013 Mackey lost his medical license because of allegations of sexual assault against teenagers. Prosecutors say he used his position as a doctor and as a Boy Scout leader to gain the trust of three teenage boys whom he sexually assaulted for ten years, beginning in the year 2000. Mackey served on the executive board of the Heart of America Council, Boy Scouts of America.
Prosecutors say Mackey met the first victim when he was 11-years-old. They say the sexual assaults began when the boy was 14. Prosecutors say Mackey would get the teen drunk, watch porn and then the sexual assaults would happen. Several sexual encounters also took place, police say, in Mackey’s office while the alleged victim was a patient.
Police estimate Mackey sexually assaulted the boy 150 to 200 times over the course of six years.
The second and third victims were high school-aged teens who prosecutors say Mackey approached in 2004 to participate in a “creatine study.” Creatine is believed to increase muscle mass.
Mackey, prosecutors say, supplied the teens with pills and required them to visit his office in Blue Springs for exams two times a month. During those examinations, investigators say Mackey would make the teens perform sexual acts, telling them it was necessary for the study.
Karen Blackwell, Director of Human Research Protection Program at the University of Kansas told investigators that “There is no record of a study of creatine use by high school athletes during the time period from 2000 to 2010.
Mark Brayer with the Heart of America Council, Boy Scouts of American says they received a report of inappropriate behavior by Mackey in 2011. As part of their youth protection program, Mackey was immediately removed and police were notified, he said.
A spokesperson for the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office said Joseph Mackey was supposed to turn himself in to Blue Springs Police on Friday, but he was not in custody Friday evening. On Monday, FOX 4 received confirmation that he turned himself in, but was released after posting bond.
