Case Explained: Jomil Tugado | Mother of patient sexually assaulted at Duke Health wants accountability after former nurse indicted – Legal Perspective

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — A grand jury has formally charged Jomil Tugado with sexual crimes against three patients at Duke University Hospital.

Tugado is facing a long list of charges, including sexual battery, involving three women who were patients in May and December of 2025.

According to new court documents, prosecutors say two women were incapacitated and one had a mental disability.

ABC11 reached out to all three victims. Two have responded in a statement.

The following statement is from David Sherlin, the attorney who is representing one of the victims:

“I have been in touch with Duke University Health System and its legal team regarding my firm’s representation of a victim who was recently sexually assaulted at Duke Hospital.

While the case is in its early stages, I want to thank law enforcement for its prompt response and to Duke and its attorneys who are handling this matter with the gravity and sensitivity it deserves.

Our client is truly courageous in making sure her voice is heard, as are the other victims who have stepped forward.”

The mother of another victim tells ABC11 she is “hurt and sad” for her daughter and wants accountability. She said her daughter was violated while she was vulnerable.

“These types of complaints are very infrequent, but are still very serious,” Sara Griffith of the North Carolina Board of Nursing said.

Griffith, who is the Chief Nursing Officer, said out of the 188,000 registered and licensed practical nurses licensed in North Carolina, about 1% of those receive any type of disciplinary action related to any type of complaints that are received.

Tina Gordon of the North Carolina Nurses Association has also said in a previous statement, in part, “these allegations are beyond horrifying, and our primary concern is for the victims,” but “this type of incident is exceedingly rare and we hope most people discern that this is not representative of the rest of the profession.”

Tugado has hired an attorney and is expected to appear in court in February, according to court documents.

Duke Health officials confirmed Tugado has been terminated and is no longer employed by Duke Health. Tugado’s license was also suspended the day of his arrest.

Duke Health has a “zero-tolerance policy for sexual misconduct and takes all allegations of inappropriate behavior seriously.”

Duke Health officials encourage any patients who have witnessed or experienced inappropriate conduct at Duke Health to call their hotline.