Nurse From Lake Elsinore Suspected Of Sex With Unconscious Patient, More Victims Sought: RSO

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — A nurse from Lake Elsinore who was employed by "multiple hospitals within Riverside County" is suspected of sexually penetrating an unconscious patient, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department announced Tuesday.

Lauro Gonzalez Jr., 40, was arrested Tuesday during a traffic stop in the area of Interstate 15 and Temescal Canyon Road. A search warrant served at his home turned up additional evidence, according to the sheriff's department.

His arrest follows an investigation that began last month when the sheriff's department received information alleging that a hospital employee was having inappropriate contact with an unconscious patient.

Details about which hospitals Gonzalez was working at were not released.

According to the sheriff's department, Gonzales was booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center on suspicion of sexual penetration of an unconscious person. Jail records for him were not immediately available Tuesday evening.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Special Victims Unit believes there may be additional victims. It encourages anyone with more information regarding this investigation to contact Investigator J. Lee at 951-955-1718 or Sheriff's Dispatch by calling 951-776-1099.