Siyin Kuai appears to be inserted into images of her home and acupuncture clinic in Asheville, North Carolina (Buncombe County Detention Center, Google Maps)
A North Carolina man in his 90s used his trusted position as a holistic health care provider to sexually assault one of his longtime clients, using a needle to temporarily paralyze her and leave her helpless. The authorities announced that it has been changed.
Seein Kuai, 90, is charged with one count each of second-degree forcible sexual assault and sexual assault, according to a press release from the Asheville Police Department on Wednesday.
He was arrested on September 26, according to an arrest report obtained by Law&Crime. The incident allegedly occurred in August at the defendant’s home acupuncture clinic on Arlington Street.
Public records are sparse and little information is available about the case, but an APD detective and the alleged victim recently shared their thoughts and details in comments to local media.
“Criminals come in all ages, shapes and sizes,” Asheville Police Detective Jonathan McCain told Asheville-based ABC and MyNetworkTV affiliate WLOS. “These types of cases can take a long time to investigate, but this case was dealt with in a short time thanks to the actions and cooperation of a very brave survivor.”
Survivor River Lajoice appeared on camera to share her allegations against a man she once trusted, helping to break the taboo often observed by the media and law enforcement in sex crime cases. She says she wants her courage to inspire others. Law & Crime is identifying her because she published her story.
“He actually thought he was going to get away with it. He thought he was going to be okay,” she told the TV station.
The woman said she had been going to Kuai twice a week for acupuncture treatments for about four years. She didn’t expect what would happen during the final session in August.
“When he started taking off my dress, I started to realize it wasn’t right,” she said. “There were needles in my body and he basically started taking my clothes off, so at that moment I thought, ‘Okay, this is wrong,’ and I put his mouth on my body. I started guessing, and it escalated from there.”
The 28-year-old woman said she was partially paralyzed by the needle and her assailant knew exactly what he needed to do to incapacitate her. She screamed for her help. No one came.
“I told him to stop,” she told WLOS. “I said, ‘Please stop,’ and ‘No,’ but he literally kept repeating, ‘Thank you, thank you,’ and kept going.”
The victim said he had introduced several friends to Kuai over the years.
“He was basically like a grandfather, more like a great-grandfather,” she says. “That’s why I feel so strongly about coming out about this. It’s out of respect for myself and not only to not let someone get away with this, but to warn people and make sure this person is trusted.” It’s also to let you know that you’re not a capable person.”
The defendant was held in the Buncombe County Detention Center on a $100,000 bond.
As of September 28, there is no record of Kuai entering the country in prison records.
Law&Crime reached out to APD for additional details on this case, but did not immediately receive a response.
“Don’t be afraid to set boundaries and speak your boundaries, especially when it comes to your body and personal space,” she said. “It’s not just about you. It’s the people who come after you who are going to be sacrificed.”
