The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is calling on the public for assistance following the arrest of a nurse accused of sexually assaulting an unconscious patient. The disturbing case came to light in June 2025, when the department’s Special Victims Unit (SVU) received a report of inappropriate conduct involving a hospital employee and a patient who was not conscious at the time of the alleged incident.
Following an intensive investigation, detectives identified the suspect as 40-year-old Lauro Gonzales Jr., a registered nurse and resident of Lake Elsinore, California. Authorities confirmed that Gonzales had been employed at multiple hospitals within Riverside County, potentially granting him access to numerous vulnerable patients over the years.
On July 15, 2025, SVU investigators coordinated a targeted vehicle stop near Interstate 15 and Temescal Canyon Road, where Gonzales was taken into custody without incident. Subsequently, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his Lake Elsinore residence, where they reportedly uncovered additional incriminating evidence connected to the case.
Gonzales has since been booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center and is facing serious charges, including sexual penetration of an unconscious person—a felony offense in the state of California that carries significant legal consequences if convicted.
As the investigation continues, officials are deeply concerned that Gonzales may have committed similar acts at other facilities or over a longer time span than initially uncovered. Given his professional background and multiple hospital affiliations, the possibility of additional victims is being taken very seriously by authorities.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is now urging any potential victims—or anyone with knowledge of suspicious or inappropriate behavior involving Gonzales—to come forward. Investigators stress the importance of public cooperation in helping to ensure justice for those affected and to prevent future harm.
Anyone who may have relevant information is asked to contact Investigator J. Lee at (951) 955-1718 or the Sheriff’s Dispatch at (951) 776-1099. All tips and reports will be handled with the utmost sensitivity and confidentiality.
This ongoing case has prompted renewed discussions around patient safety, hospital hiring practices, and protocols for monitoring staff conduct, especially when working with sedated or unconscious individuals. Local advocacy groups are calling for greater oversight and improved mechanisms for patients to report abuse or inappropriate treatment without fear of retaliation or disbelief.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department remains committed to conducting a thorough and transparent investigation, and they are asking the community to remain vigilant and supportive of those who may have been affected. As more information emerges, authorities are expected to release further details.
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