San Luis Obispo County jury convicts X-ray technician of sexual batteryJuly 30, 2026By JOSH FRIEDMANA San Luis Obispo County jury convicted a local X-ray technician of misdemeanor sexual battery over a 2024 incident involving unwanted touching of a patient at a medical office. The jury found that John Stephen O’Brien, 47, willfully and unlawfully touched an intimate part of a patient against her will for the purpose of sexual arousal, sexual gratification and sexual abuse while he was working as an X-ray technician. During a seven-day trial, prosecutors presented evidence that the victim went in for an X-ray on her back and needed assistance tying her gown. During the trial, O’Brien claimed the victim’s movements and body position were an invitation for the sexual touching. The jury rejected the claim and convicted him of sexual battery.