Judge sentences former MGH medical assistant from East Boston to 9-12 years in prison for sexually assaulting patients

BOSTON, March 14, 2025 – Noting the “egregious character” of his crimes, a judge today sentenced Damien Knighton, the medical assistant convicted earlier this month of sexually assaulting patients he was treating, to nine to 12 years in state prison followed by three years of probation and lifetime banishment from the medical field in Massachusetts.

A jury on March 4 convicted Knighton, 41, of East Boston, on six counts of indecent assault and battery on four male patients he attended to while employed in 2023 at the Massachusetts General Hospital Back Bay Health Center on Commonwealth Avenue.

Judge Debra Squires-Lee said four of the charges were “of the most egregious character” because they involved penetration of the victims.

“The defendant used his position and status to facilitate commission of the offenses. The use of his position as a medical assistant to commit these crimes caused the victims additional emotional and psychic pain.  They trusted the defendant and that trust was abused,” Squires-Lee said.

One of the victims read an impact statement in court and two other impact statements were read by Assistant District Attorney Rita Claire Muse.

“The last two-plus years have taken a toll on me both personally and professionally,” one of the victims said in court. “The level of embarrassment, shame, anger and guilt I have felt are at a level I never thought I could feel. I am a very private person and the fact that I had to stand up here and show my face and admit this happened has been the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life.”

After listening to the victim impact statements, Squires-Lee said: “I’m just going to tell you three things.  You’re brave, the shame is not yours.  You were misled, you were lied to, you did not deserve what happened to you.  And third, you will heal with love and support.”

Knighton was arrested in January 2023 after patients being treated at the MGH health center told police he had conducted unauthorized genital and rectal exams after the patients had been seen by their physicians.  Knighton was convicted on six of seven indecent assault and battery charges involving four victims.

Squire-Lee also ordered Knighton to register with the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board.

“The jury heard the voices and the stories of these victims and returned the right verdict, and Judge Squires-Lee today sent an understanding and compassionate message to the victims while handing down an appropriate sentence to the defendant.  I thank these victims for their courage in coming forward with what happened to them,” Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden said.

Assistant District Attorney Rita Muse prosecuted the case and Nicole Crosta was the victim witness adovcate.