Key Takeaways
- Former medical assistant Eric Alphonso Tarter Jr. is facing criminal charges after he allegedly sexually assaulted patients while working at UPMC and Penn State Health medical facilities.
- Authorities allege Tarter falsely represented himself as a doctor and performed medically unnecessary procedures on patients.
- Victims of sexual abuse in medical settings may have civil legal rights.
Former Medical Assistant Eric Alphonso Tarter Jr. Accused of Sexually Assaulting Patients
Former medical assistant Eric Alphonso Tarter Jr., 40, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was charged two separate times in 2023, after investigators alleged he sexually assaulted patients while working at UPMC Fisher Road Family Practice in Cumberland County and Penn State Health Medical Group – Colonial Park Primary Care in Dauphin County.
According to investigators, Tarter falsely represented himself as a doctor despite not being a licensed physician.
The Dauphin County investigation began when, “in October 2023, the mother of an 18-year-old patient at Penn State Health reported that her son was sexually assaulted twice by the same person, according to documents.” (CBS 21)
Investigators later learned that Upper Allen Police had already filed charges against Tarter in September 2023, in connection with a separate alleged assault involving a patient at UPMC.
Criminal Case Update
The criminal proceedings against Eric Alphonso Tarter Jr. remain pending. According to Dauphin County court records, Tarter is scheduled to appear for Plea Court on August 24, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. before Judge Edward M. Marsico Jr.
Alleged Assault at UPMC
One criminal case stems from an alleged incident that occurred at UPMC’s Fisher Road Family Practice in Cumberland County.
According to court documents, a patient visited the practice on August 8, 2022 and provided a urine sample during a routine appointment, as instructed by a doctor.
Later, a “different ‘doctor’ entered the exam room and told him he had to do another test. [The patient] became confused and asked questions, but the ‘doctor’ only gave him one-word answers and then told him to pull his pants down, according to the affidavit. The patient said the ‘doctor’ grasped his penis with one hand and conducted an internal penile swab with a medical Q-tip device.” (Penn Live)
According to CBS 21, “Records confirm that this UPMC staff member was Eric Tarter, who was employed as a medical assistant.”
After the patient described the incident to the doctor’s office over the phone the following day, the practice asked him to return for a follow-up examination to assess whether he had suffered any injuries from the swab.
According to court documents, two physicians observed irritation and discoloration during the patient’s follow-up examination.
On September 26, 2023, Upper Allen Police charged Tarter with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse by forcible compulsion and sexual assault in connection with the alleged incident.
The publicly available news coverage reviewed for this article does not indicate that UPMC issued a public statement regarding the allegations.
Alleged Assaults at Penn State Health
The Dauphin County charges stem from allegations involving an 18-year-old patient receiving care at Penn State Health Medical Group’s Colonial Park office.
According to investigators, the patient established care at the practice in March 2023. When he returned for another appointment in April, Tarter allegedly referred to himself as “Dr. Tarter.”
According to PennLive, “Tarter then turned off the exam room’s lights and told the teen he needed a sperm sample, according to court documents. The affidavit said he claimed the sample was needed as part of STD testing the teen had requested. Court documents said Tarter unbuttoned the teen’s pants, pulled them down and coerced the teen into allowing him to perform a sex act. The teen told police this lasted for about 20 minutes and that he left the doctor’s offices soon afterward, according to the affidavit.”
According to court documents, the patient returned to the office in August 2023 for another appointment and was again “treated” by Tarter. Investigators allege Tarter once more identified himself as a doctor before inserting a cotton swab into the patient’s penis despite the patient’s repeated objections.
The patient later described the procedure as “‘very painful’” and told investigators that “‘Tarter laughed at him afterward.’”
According to court documents, no other Penn State Health employees were present in the examination room during either alleged incident.
In this case, he was charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, indecent assault, unlawful restraint, unlawful use of a computer, and falsely pretending to hold a professional or occupational license.
It has been confirmed by police that Tarter does not hold any medical license issued by the State Board of Medicine.
Penn State Health Fired Tarter Jr. for “Gross Misconduct”
Eric Alphonso Tarter Jr. reportedly began working as a medical assistant for Penn State Health in October 2022, just two months after the alleged UPMC incident.
Penn State Health terminated Tarter’s employment on August 31, 2023, writing in his termination letter, in part, “‘Your employment is being ended due to gross misconduct. We, Penn State Health, have egregious concerns about you practicing outside of the scope of your job as a medical assistant which presents harm to patients and demonstrates repeated poor judgment.’” (Penn Live)
Penn State Health told Penn Live that Tarter was terminated before allegations of criminal misconduct.
Can a Hospital or Medical Practice Be Held Civilly Liable?
The criminal proceedings against Eric Alphonso Tarter Jr. will determine whether he is found guilty of the pending charges.
A civil investigation, however, may examine whether healthcare facilities took reasonable steps to protect patients and whether appropriate hiring, supervision, and patient safety protocols were in place.
Healthcare institutions have a responsibility to protect patients by ensuring employees are properly qualified, maintaining appropriate oversight, and responding promptly to concerns about employee misconduct.
When healthcare institutions fail to take reasonable steps to protect patients, they may be held civilly liable.
In addition to providing survivors with an opportunity to seek compensation for their recovery, civil lawsuits can help hold institutions accountable and encourage stronger policies designed to better protect patients in the future.
Were You Harmed by Eric Alphonso Tarter Jr.?
Patients place immense trust in healthcare professionals. They should be able to trust that any examination or procedure is medically necessary and performed by a qualified provider.
If true, the allegations against Tarter represent a significant abuse of trust within a healthcare setting.
Andreozzi + Foote is actively investigating allegations involving Eric Alphonso Tarter Jr.
If you were sexually assaulted or subjected to a medically unnecessary examination while receiving care from Eric Alphonso Tarter Jr. or another healthcare professional, you may have a civil case.
Our firm represents survivors of sexual abuse in civil cases in Pennsylvania and across the United States. We approach every case with compassion and a commitment to uncovering the truth. We work to uncover institutional failures and hold those responsible fully accountable.
Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation.
Image sources: Eric Alphonso Tarter Jr., via CBS 21. Pinnacle Health Fisher Road Family Practice, © Google, Google Business Profile.
