Port St. Lucie Police Department
WILL GREENLEE/TCPALM
USA TODAY Network, Reuters
An MRI technician accused of sexually assaulting a patient at HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital was arrested Sept. 16, according to Port St. Lucie Police.
Gabriel Cruz, 42, was arrested in Brevard County after hospital staff on Sept. 14 reported “a female patient had disclosed she was sexually assaulted while undergoing an MRI the previous day,” police stated.
Investigators determined the woman had been admitted for treatment. Before getting an MRI, the woman was given medicine that caused her to be drowsy.
Cruz, working at the hospital as a travel MRI technician since Aug. 24, was identified as the MRI technician assigned for the procedure.
“Video evidence obtained with the assistance of the hospital showed Cruz exiting the MRI room after the victim and disposing of materials that were later secured by law enforcment and tested, returning presumptive positive results for the presence of male semen,” a release states.
Police reported Cruz, whose last known address was in Grant-Valkaria, was hired by a third-party agency.
HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital provided 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.”
Cruz was arrested on a felony charge of sexual battery involving a victim who was physically helpless or incapacitated.
Cruz was held Sept. 17 in the Brevard County Jail on $250,000 bond, according to sheriff’s records there.
Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida MRI tech jailed after alleged sexual assault at hospital
Reporting by Will Greenlee, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
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Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect
This story was originally published September 17, 2026 at 2:09 PM.