Duke Health nurse charged with additional sex crimes after third victim comes forward, police say

New charges were added on Tuesday against a Duke Health nurse who is already charged with committing sexual crimes against two patients, according to Duke University Campus Police. 

Police have identified a third patient with whom Jomil Tugado is alleged to have had sexual contact. That incident took place on May 23, a week before the May 30 incident that was initially reported in his arrest charges last week. 

All together, Tugado faces three felony counts each of sexual contact/penetration under the pretext of medical treatment and sex acts by a government or private institution employee. He also has three misdemeanor charges of sexual battery.

The North Carolina Board of Nursing lists that Tugado is a state-registered nurse, with a license that is to expire in February 2027. His license was listed as suspended when he was arrested. 

Duke Health officials confirmed that Tugado was removed from patient care and placed on administrative leave on Dec. 7. 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. They added that if patients have witnessed or experienced inappropriate conduct at Duke Health, they can report that to the hospital hotline at 919-385-3575. 

Tina Gordon, the CEO of the North Carolina Nurses Association, said that the allegations are "beyond horrifying," and that the organization's primary concern is for the victims. 

"Patients should always be able to trust every member of their care team; that’s especially important when they are at their most vulnerable," Gordon said in a statement to WRAL News. "This type of incident is exceedingly rare and we hope most people discern that this is not representative of the rest of the profession. The vast majority of nurses spend their careers building up trust through the care they provide, and it is infuriating for the entire profession to see anyone abuse that trust."

Tugado is the second hospital employee in the Triangle this month to be accused of committing sexual crimes against his patients. 

A UNC Rex nurse, 28-year-old Brayan Alvarez-Ortiz is accused of sexually assaulting sedated patients. The court recently ordered him to undergo testing for sexually transmitted diseases.