A registered nurse employed by the prestigious Duke Health system in the United States is facing serious criminal charges after being accused of sexually abusing patients who were incapacitated and unable to consent.
Details of the Alleged Crimes
According to arrest warrants filed by the Duke University Campus Police, 39-year-old Jomil Uy Tugado of Durham is alleged to have engaged in sexual acts with two separate victims while they were in a vulnerable medical state. The warrants state the victims were "incapacitated" at the time of the alleged assaults.
The first incident is said to have occurred in May 2025. A second alleged assault took place much more recently, in early December 2025. This case marks the second such disturbing incident reported in North Carolina's Research Triangle area this month. Less than two weeks prior, a nurse at UNC Rex Hospital was also charged following allegations from three patients.
Charges and Immediate Consequences
Tugado is now confronting a series of severe legal charges. These include two felony counts of sexual contact or penetration under the pretext of medical treatment. He also faces charges for sexual acts by a government or private institution employee and two misdemeanor counts of sexual battery.
The health system acted swiftly upon learning of the allegations. A Duke University spokesperson confirmed that Tugado, who began his employment with Duke Health in July 2023, was removed from patient care and placed on administrative leave on December 7, 2025. In a decisive follow-up action, the North Carolina Board of Nursing suspended his registered nurse license on Thursday, December 18.
Institutional Response and Ongoing Investigation
Duke Health issued an official statement emphasizing its commitment to patient safety. "At Duke Health, our top priority is to maintain a safe environment for all patients to receive care," the statement read. It further clarified the system's "zero-tolerance policy for sexual misconduct" and affirmed that all allegations are taken with the utmost seriousness.
The statement also confirmed Duke Health's full cooperation with law enforcement authorities in the ongoing investigation. The institution expressed its commitment to supporting those impacted by the incident. For any patients who may have witnessed or experienced inappropriate conduct, Duke Health provided a dedicated hotline number: 919-385-3575.
Tugado appeared before a judge at the Durham County court on the morning of Friday, December 19. The court decided he should be held without bond as the legal process moves forward.
