DURHAM, NC - On Thursday, December 18, a Duke Health nurse was arrested for allegedly performing sexual acts on patients while they were incapacitated.
The alleged suspect, 39-year-old Jomil Uy Tugado, was arrested for performing sexual acts on two people while they were "incapacitated," according to arrest warrants reviewed by WRAL News. One incident took place in May and the other in December, Duke University Campus Police reported.
Tugado has been charged with two felony counts: sexual contact/penetration under the pretext of medical treatment and sex acts by a government or private institution employee. He was also charged with two misdemeanor counts of sexual battery.
The North Carolina Board of Nursing lists Tugado as a state-registered nurse, with a license that is set to expire in February 2027. His license has since been suspended following the charges.
Duke Health officials confirmed that Tugado was removed from patient care and placed on administrative leave effective December 7, one day after he allegedly committed the second offense. During his first court appearance on Friday, December 19, a judge denied Tugado bond. He is now scheduled to appear in court on January 6, 2026.
Duke officials said Tugado began his employment with Duke Health in July 2023. Duke Health officials said they are fully cooperating with law enforcement authorities in their ongoing investigation.
If any patients have witnessed or experienced inappropriate conduct at Duke Health, they are encouraged to call the hotline at 919-385-3575.
"At Duke Health, our top priority is to maintain a safe environment for all patients to receive care," Duke Health officials wrote in a statement. "We have a zero-tolerance policy for sexual misconduct and take all allegations of inappropriate behavior seriously."
Tugado is the second hospital employee in the Triangle in the last two weeks to be accused of committing sexual crimes against his patients. A UNC Rex nurse, 28-year-old Brayan Alvarez-Ortiz, has been accused of sexually assaulting sedated patients. Raleigh police say he assaulted patients on three separate occasions while they were sedated and recovering from surgery.
"It's a traumatic experience no matter what the circumstances are, but for a survivor to think that they are going into a situation where the people that are involved are supposed to be held to a much higher standard, that they should be safe under any circumstances, it's terrible for anyone to have to go through," said Jeff Whitson with domestic and sexual violence prevention non-profit InterAct.
The alleged suspect, 39-year-old Jomil Uy Tugado, was arrested for performing sexual acts on two people while they were "incapacitated," according to arrest warrants reviewed by WRAL News. One incident took place in May and the other in December, Duke University Campus Police reported.
Tugado has been charged with two felony counts: sexual contact/penetration under the pretext of medical treatment and sex acts by a government or private institution employee. He was also charged with two misdemeanor counts of sexual battery.
The North Carolina Board of Nursing lists Tugado as a state-registered nurse, with a license that is set to expire in February 2027. His license has since been suspended following the charges.
Duke Health officials confirmed that Tugado was removed from patient care and placed on administrative leave effective December 7, one day after he allegedly committed the second offense. During his first court appearance on Friday, December 19, a judge denied Tugado bond. He is now scheduled to appear in court on January 6, 2026.
Duke officials said Tugado began his employment with Duke Health in July 2023. Duke Health officials said they are fully cooperating with law enforcement authorities in their ongoing investigation.
If any patients have witnessed or experienced inappropriate conduct at Duke Health, they are encouraged to call the hotline at 919-385-3575.
"At Duke Health, our top priority is to maintain a safe environment for all patients to receive care," Duke Health officials wrote in a statement. "We have a zero-tolerance policy for sexual misconduct and take all allegations of inappropriate behavior seriously."
Tugado is the second hospital employee in the Triangle in the last two weeks to be accused of committing sexual crimes against his patients. A UNC Rex nurse, 28-year-old Brayan Alvarez-Ortiz, has been accused of sexually assaulting sedated patients. Raleigh police say he assaulted patients on three separate occasions while they were sedated and recovering from surgery.
"It's a traumatic experience no matter what the circumstances are, but for a survivor to think that they are going into a situation where the people that are involved are supposed to be held to a much higher standard, that they should be safe under any circumstances, it's terrible for anyone to have to go through," said Jeff Whitson with domestic and sexual violence prevention non-profit InterAct.
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments