Ultrasound technician accused of sexually assaulting woman during procedure, police say
By Jonathan Ayestas
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TURLOCK, California (KCRA) — A former ultrasound technician is accused of sexually assaulting a patient during a medical procedure, the Turlock Police Department said.
Gerald Eugene Pinatacan, 45, is in the Stanislaus County Jail on charges that include sexual penetration with a foreign object and sexual battery for the purpose of sexual arousal, police said.
“This is an extremely troubling case,” Turlock Police Chief Jason Hedden said in a news release from the department. “When someone seeks medical care, they place complete trust in the professionals who are there to help them. That trust was violated. Our department is committed to holding individuals accountable when they abuse positions of authority and cause harm, and we encourage anyone who may have been impacted to come forward.”
Officers on Nov. 5 got a report from a woman who stated she was sexually assaulted by an ultrasound technician during an appointment in February at an office in the 1500 block of Colorado Avenue south of East Hawkeye Avenue, police said.
The woman told officers that the technician, later identified as Pinatacan, performed actions not consistent with the procedure she had made an appointment to receive, police said. The technician made statements to the woman that led her to believe what he was doing was necessary.
Police said she also reported behavior from the technician during a follow-up appointment in March.
While investigating, detectives confirmed Pinatacan was previously arrested by Turlock police for a similar case in April. A patient told staff that Pinatacan touched her in an inappropriate way, leading staff to contact police. Pinatacan provided statements to police that were inconsistent with standard medical practices, and police said they booked him on a sexual battery by restraint charge.
For the February and March allegations, detectives obtained an arrest warrant based on the woman’s statement and documentation, police said. Officers took Pinatacan into custody on Nov. 19 after he finished a hearing at the Stanislaus County Courthouse for a separate case.
The medical office where Pinatacan worked told police that he is no longer employed there.
Anyone who received ultrasound services from Pinatacan and believes he acted inappropriately with them is asked to call Det. Giovacchini at 209-668-6539.
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