New Details Emerge in Pharmacy Dean Sexual Assault Case

The Pima County Attorney’s Office has released interviews related to the investigation into University of Arizona College of Pharmacy Dean Jessie Lyle Bootman, who is currently indicted on sexual assault charges.

The detail incident report dated December 1, 2015, includes an interview with a bartender Bootman knew from his time spent at a restaurant, as well as at a hair salon where the bartender previously worked.

Bartender “Ms. B” told police that she was not surprised by the news related to the accusations surrounding Bootman. She said that he made bar employees feel uncomfortable, and he would text her at odd hours of the night when he got her number through the salon.

“Ms. B said he would always talk about his profession and explain his job, saying that he has access to drugs,” the report stated.

Back in October, a detective interviewed another bartender, “Ms. M,” who said she never saw Bootman cross any boundaries, but echoed Ms. B’s comments that he made people feel uncomfortable. She described his stare as though he was undressing them with his eyes.

Ms. M also said she was not surprised by the accusations.

“She stated he was creepy and believed it was just a matter of time before he did something like that,” the report stated.

Detectives also spoke with Bootman’s ex-wife, who he had been with for about 32 years. “Ms. SB” said Bootman moved out on April 1, 2015.

One thing Ms. SB told detectives was that Bootman received a box from India in 2005 or 2006 containing Viagra and Cialis. When she confronted him about it, Bootman said it was for research for the University of Arizona.

“She stated he had to check them to see if they met the United States standards; however, she stated she did not believe him about that,” the report stated.

Detectives also spoke with a retired University of Arizona College of Pharmacy professor who had worked at the school for almost 33 years.

The former professor said he wanted to talk to the detective when he heard about the case. He said the sexual accusations surrounding Bootman were “very believable,” but he was surprised about the violence reported.

“E,” the retired professor, said there were rumors about Bootman buying young girls drinks and soliciting prostitutes. In addition, 5 years ago, there was a rumor about Bootman buying drinks for pharmacy students at a place called Sullivan’s Restaurant.

Prior to the sexual assault claims, E heard that Bootman had been charged with driving under the influence, which was later dropped down to an aggressive driving charge. E wrote to Joe G. N. “Skip” Garcia, MD, who is currently the senior vice president for health sciences at the Arizona Health Sciences Center, basically asking for a new dean and providing information on why.

Detectives also spoke with E about the pharmacy school and its license. E said it was licensed with the Drug Enforcement Administration to buy controlled substances and products were kept in a safe. He also said any Internet orders would have been mailed to the university—never to an individual.

Bootman’s next court date is February 22, 2016, according to Tucson News Now. Bootman pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual assault, sexual abuse, and aggravated assault back in October 2015.

The case involves a woman who worked in real estate and had been a business acquaintance of Bootman’s. The woman said she went to Bootman’s house for a tour, and the last thing she remembered was trying to get her purse to leave, blacking out, and waking up in the morning with blood on her face and hand.

The Tuscon Medical Center determined that she had a broken nose, serious bruising, and injuries to her lip and knee.

Bootman’s attorney Brad Roach said his client was “shocked and saddened that anyone would make claims against him or his conduct.”

Bootman is listed as a professor at the University of Arizona on the school’s website. His page in the directory currently states that he served as dean of the pharmacy school from 1987 to 2015.

“Dr. Bootman has been lauded with numerous honors and awards recognizing him for his outstanding lifetime contributions and service to the profession and to society,” his page states.