South Bay Man Accused Of Sexually Assaulting 16-Year-Old Arrested

SAN JOSÉ, CA — A South Bay man employed by the state as a physical therapist was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old patient, San José police said in a news release.

Leonard Cheng, 45 of San José, was arrested on three counts of suspicion sexual assault on a minor and was booked into Santa Clara County Jail, police said.

Cheng’s arrest culminated an investigation that began when the allegations were reported to authorities June 28, police said.

Cheng, who worked as a physical therapist for the California Children’s Services in Santa Clara County, is accused of engaging in sexual acts with the victim on multiple occasions, police said.

The victim was receiving physical therapy treatments due to a medical condition, police said.

“The case was presented to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office,” police said. “After a thorough review of the case an arrest warrant was issued for the suspect.”

Police believe that because Cheng worked with minors there may be additional victims and are encouraging anyone with additional information about the suspect to come forward.

Anyone with information about this case or similar incidents involving this suspect is asked to contact Detective McCaughin #4462 or Detective Sergeant Ruybal #3719 of the San José Police Department’s Sexual Assault Investigations Unit at 4462@sanjoseca.gov and or 3719@sanjoseca.gov or call (408) 277-4102.

Crime tips can also be submitted anonymous by using the P3TIPS mobile app, calling the tip line at (408) 947-STOP, or on www.svcrimestoppers.org.

Anyone who submits information that leads to an arrest is eligible for a cash reward from the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers Program.