Two Austin physical therapists charged with sexually assaulting patients

March 17, 2026

Austin police charged two physical therapists after patient complaints led investigators to pursue criminal allegations. Paul Lietz and Manuel Rangel each face counts related to sexual assaults that are said to have occurred during treatment sessions, police say.

Investigators gathered statements from individuals who reported inappropriate contact while receiving therapy, and those accounts prompted the charges. Authorities submitted the cases to prosecutors, who formalized the criminal counts that Lietz and Rangel now confront in court.

Both men are identified in charging documents as licensed practitioners, and the accusations center on actions taken while patients were under their care. The filings do not resolve the allegations, and the defendants will have opportunities to respond through the court process.

Cases involving medical professionals often lead to parallel reviews beyond criminal court, including possible professional disciplinary action. Licensing boards and employers may open separate inquiries, and officials say such administrative processes can move independently from the criminal matter.

Police encourage anyone with information related to these or similar incidents to contact investigators, as additional reports could affect the course of the investigations. Victims and witnesses have options to report concerns to law enforcement and to seek support services available in the community.

As the criminal cases proceed, court records and charging papers will contain the detailed allegations and any evidence prosecutors present. Journalists and members of the public can follow filings and court dates for updates on how the charges against Lietz and Rangel progress through the legal system.