PORT ST. LUCIE — An MRI technician at HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital was arrested on Sept. 16 on charges that he allegedly sexually battered a woman at the hospital, according to Port St. Lucie Police reports.
Gabriel Cruz, 42, of Grant Valkaria in Brevard County, is being held at the Brevard County Jail on an out-of-county warrant for a $250,000 bond, according to jail records.
He was arrested at his home on Sept. 16 on sexual battery involving a victim who was physically helpless or incapacitated, considered a first-degree felony under state law, according to police reports.
On Sept. 14, Port St. Lucie Police detectives went to the hospital on 1800 SE Tiffany Avenue after hospital staff reported that a woman patient claimed she was sexually assaulted while undergoing an MRI the previous day.
Detectives met with hospital personnel and learned the victim was admitted for medical treatment on Sept. 13. Prior to undergoing an MRI, she was administered medication that caused her to become significantly drowsy, according to police reports.
As detectives continued their investigation, they determined that Cruz was the MRI technician assigned to the procedure.
Video evidence obtained from the hospital showed Cruz exiting the MRI room after the victim and disposing of materials that were later secured by law enforcement and tested, returning presumptive positive results for the presence of male semen, according to police reports.
Detectives confirmed that Cruz was not employed directly at the hospital but was working there as a travel MRI technician since Aug. 24 and was hired via a third-party agency.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital issued this statement:
“We do not tolerate behavior that jeopardizes the safety or security of our patients. When this serious allegation was reported to us, we contacted law enforcement and ended the individual’s assignment. We have assisted law enforcement throughout its investigation and remain focused on supporting our patient.”