Hunter
05/23/25
A former University of Iowa therapist who was originally arrested in July 2023 for nine counts of sexual exploitation now faces new charges.
45-year-old James Burkhalter was also charged with two counts of sexual exploitation by a counselor or therapist on May 2nd of last year. It was alleged that Burkhalter placed his hand on the clothed breast of a patient on two separate occasions in July and November 2022 at an address on Kirkwood Avenue in Iowa City. The other nine charges stem from accusations that he was involved in sex acts with a patient during scheduled appointments.
The new charges allege that between November 15th 2019 and March 30th 2020, twice engaged in a sex act with a patient, and once took the hand of a patient and placed it on his erect penis, over the top of his clothing.
A warrant for Burkhalter’s arrest was issued Monday; he was taken into custody early Friday morning and charged with three counts of Sexual Exploitation by a Counselor or Therapist. If convicted on the charges, he could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison.
Burkhalter is due to stand trial on the nine original charges and the two additional charges from last year on June 10th. He faces up to 55 years in prison if convicted for those incidents.