2 Pinoy nurses to stand trial in US over alleged sex acts near elderly patient

A San Diego court has ordered two Filipino nurses to stand trial for alleged sexual misconduct while attending to an elderly bedridden female patient.

Alfredo Ruiz and Russel Torralba, both 42, are facing nine criminal counts each of elder neglect and lewd conduct by a caregiver, according to a July 30 report on San Diego 6.

The two will stand trial after a preliminary hearing found sufficient evidence to proceed with the case, the report said.

The alleged abuse, which reportedly occurred in 2011, was caught on video. It shows the two fondling each other while touching the female patient. It also shows them engaging in oral sex near the patient, who could not speak.

According to the San Diego 6 report, non-verbal cues of distress from the patient prompted her family to review the footage from cameras installed to monitor the nurses' performance.

Ruiz and Torralba's licenses have been revoked following the incident.

A separate report on ABC 10 News said Presiding Judge Lorna Alksne dismissed one count of lewd and lascivious behavior, but commented that both showed “a complete disregard” for the standing of their profession in society.

Torralba, according to an LGBT Weekly report, was arrested in Vancouver, Canada, and was extradited to the US. 

Both men may face six years in prison if they're found guilty.

Ruiz and Torralba are currently free on $200,000 bond and have pleaded not guilty to all charges. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News