A former Illinois chiropractor is going to spend decades behind bars after investigators uncovered a disturbing scheme involving hidden cameras, secretly recorded patients, and videos allegedly shared online.
David Hanson, 44, the former owner of Hanson Family Chiropractic in Batavia, Illinois, was sentenced to 60 years in prison on November 10 after pleading guilty to producing and disseminating child sexual abuse material.
According to prosecutors, Hanson secretly recorded more than 180 patients, including children and adults, as they undressed or were unclothed inside his chiropractic office. Investigators said the recordings took place over several years, between 2016 and 2025, without the patients knowing they were being filmed.
Authorities said many of the recordings were made inside a room used for red-light and near-infrared therapy. The treatment required patients to undress, and investigators discovered that hidden cameras had allegedly been positioned inside everyday objects, including fans, to capture patients in private moments.
Even more disturbing, prosecutors said Hanson shared some of the recordings online. Investigators also discovered that he possessed and distributed child sexual abuse material unrelated to the recordings made at his chiropractic practice.
The investigation eventually led to a 76-count indictment handed down by a Kane County grand jury in February 2026. The charges included 66 counts involving child sexual abuse material and 10 counts of unauthorized video recording.
Hanson ultimately pleaded guilty in September 2026 to two felony charges: producing and disseminating child sexual abuse material. Those two convictions carried a potential sentence of up to 60 years behind bars.
On Tuesday, November 10, a judge handed Hanson the maximum sentence allowed under the plea agreement, ordering him to serve 30 years for each count.
Judge Delivers Harsh Message During Sentencing
The sentencing hearing brought an emotional day to the Kane County courthouse, as dozens of survivors and family members came forward to share the impact Hanson’s actions had on their lives.
According to Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser, 48 survivors delivered victim impact statements during the proceedings.
Judge D.J. Tegeler did not hold back when addressing Hanson, making it clear that the damage caused by his actions went far beyond the criminal charges.
The judge reportedly said he wished he could sentence Hanson to more than 1,300 years in prison, referencing the potential punishment he could have faced had the case gone to trial on all the original charges.
Instead, the judge imposed the agreed-upon 60-year sentence.
Hanson reportedly sat quietly throughout the hearing and declined the opportunity to address the courtroom before his sentence was handed down.
Victims Describe Years of Betrayal and Broken Trust
Some of the most emotional moments came when former patients described how difficult it had become to trust other people, particularly medical professionals who are supposed to make patients feel safe.
Several victims said they had known Hanson for years and trusted him and his practice before learning what investigators uncovered.
One survivor, Sophia Brummel, explained that she had started visiting Hanson’s office as a teenager and later spent time interning at the practice.
The revelation that someone she trusted had secretly recorded her left her angry and deeply disturbed.
Other survivors described the emotional toll of knowing that private recordings may have been distributed online and could potentially continue circulating.
Riley Dunnett also spoke about how the experience affected her ability to feel comfortable in medical environments.
The courtroom statements highlighted how Hanson’s actions allegedly affected not only the individuals recorded but also their families and the wider community.
Investigation Uncovered More Than 180 Victims
Hanson was arrested in November 2025 following an investigation involving the Batavia Police Department and the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office Child Exploitation Unit.
Authorities worked to identify individuals appearing in the recordings, examine digital evidence, and determine how many people may have been affected.
Prosecutors said the number of victims could be even greater than the recordings investigators were able to identify.
The case prompted authorities to ask former patients and anyone who believed they may have been recorded to come forward and contact investigators.
Hanson’s chiropractic practice, Hanson Family Chiropractic, has since closed.
60 Years Behind Bars, But Civil Lawsuits Remain
In addition to his 60-year prison sentence, Hanson must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. He will also receive credit for time already served in custody.
Although the criminal case has reached its sentencing stage, the legal fallout is not necessarily over.
Multiple civil lawsuits involving Hanson and his former chiropractic practice remain pending, with victims and their families pursuing additional accountability for what happened.
For many of the survivors, the sentence represents an important step toward justice. However, as several made clear during the hearing, the emotional damage and loss of trust may take years to overcome.
What was supposed to be a place where patients could receive treatment and feel comfortable instead became the center of a disturbing criminal investigation involving hidden cameras and hundreds of potentially affected lives.
Video Credit: NBC News
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