Hospital nurse arrested for alleged sexual assault on unconscious patient

Hospital nurse arrested for alleged sexual assault on unconscious patient
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Ariel Savage, Commissioner | Riverside County

In June 2025, the Riverside Sheriff's Special Victims Unit received a report about a hospital employee involved in inappropriate contact with an unconscious patient. The suspect was identified as Lauro Gonzales Jr., a 40-year-old nurse from Lake Elsinore. He worked at several hospitals within Riverside County.

On July 15, 2025, investigators stopped Gonzales' vehicle near Interstate 15 and Temescal Canyon Road and arrested him without incident. A search of his residence uncovered additional evidence. Gonzales was booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center on charges of sexual penetration of an unconscious person.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Special Victims Unit suspects there may be more victims and urges anyone with information to contact Investigator J. Lee at (951) 955-1718 or call Sheriff's Dispatch at 951-776-1099.

The investigation is ongoing, and no further details are available.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

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