Soldier Seeking Help for PTSD Allegedly Stalked, Harassed by 'Psychotic' Therapist

Therapist allegedly sent threats, led military police on chase.

ByABC News
February 2, 2011, 2:59 PM

Feb. 2, 2011— -- A therapist treating an army sergeant for post-traumatic stress disorder allegedly stalked and sexually harassed the soldier -- apparently sending him lewd text messages and threatening his family -- in a case that culminated with a high-speed chase and the therapist in a psychiatric hospital, according to a military investigation.

Prosecutors Tuesday charged Rachelle Santiago, 43, an independent social worker hired to counsel soldiers at Fort Riley in Kansas, with stalking the sergeant who she was counseling for PTSD and marital problems.

Santiago suggested the sergeant meet her in a bar, allegedly rubbed and "humped" against him in her office, sent suggestive and threatening text messages and appeared unannounced at his home, according to an affidavit filed by a military police investigator.

The sergeant, whom ABC News is not naming because he is the subject of alleged sexual abuse, told investigators that his initial meetings with Santiago in December 2010 were helpful, before the situation took a dark turn last month.

Santiago embraced the soldier Jan. 22 in a "very strong and aggressive manner and told him it was an appropriate part of counseling," Special Agent Lisa Medrano, military police investigator, wrote in the affidavit, which was obtained by ABCNews.com.

"Mrs. Santiago began to rub her crotch area (humping) against [the sergeant], and eventually told him she did have an orgasm and she wanted him to do the same," the affidavit notes.

Santiago, who is herself married, also grabbed his crotch, according to the affidavit. The soldier said he was faithful to his wife and denied her advances.

The next day the sergeant received 15 text messages from Santiago, including photos of pink lingerie and a suggestive message informing him that she was "hot and wet," according to the affidavit.

The soldier asked Santiago to stop sending him texts but, according to investigators, that only increased the number of messages she sent.

In a matter of days, as the soldier denied her advances, the alleged messages became increasingly threatening.

The sergeant received a message Jan. 24 that falsely implied the two had a relationship, and Santiago would have her revenge for being dumped, according to the affidavit.