Duke nurse charged with sexually assaulting incapacitated patients
A Duke University Hospital nurse was arrested Thursday on multiple charges of sexually assaulting incapacitated patients.
Jomil Uy Tugado, 39, of Durham is charged with two counts each of sexual contact or penetration under the context of medical treatment, sex act by a government or private institution employee and misdemeanor sexual battery, court records show.
The assaults allegedly occurred May 30 and Dec. 6, according to Tugado’s arrest warrants.
Tugado’s Facebook page describes him as a registered nurse in Duke’s surgical trauma emergency department, though The N&O could not immediately confirm that Friday. The arrest warrants were sought by Duke’s police department, court records show.
State records show Tugado’s nursing license was suspended Thursday as a result of the charges.
Duke Health said Tugado was placed on administrative leave Dec. 7, according to ABC11, The News & Observer’s newsgathering partner. .
In a statement, Duke Health officials said: “We have a zero-tolerance policy for sexual misconduct and take all allegations of inappropriate behavior seriously... We are fully cooperating with law enforcement authorities in their ongoing investigation and remain committed to supporting those who have been impacted. If patients have witnessed or experienced inappropriate conduct at Duke Health, we ask that they call our hotline at 919-385-3575.”
Tugado was being held without bail as of Friday morning.
This is a developing story . Please check back for updates.
This story was originally published December 19, 2025 at 8:28 AM with the headline "Duke nurse charged with sexually assaulting incapacitated patients."
