Key Takeaways
- Gabriel Cruz, a 42-year-old travel MRI technician, was arrested on September 16, 2026, after a 64-year-old patient reported that she was sexually assaulted in an MRI room at HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital in Port St. Lucie.
- Cruz had worked at the hospital since August 24, 2026, through American Traveler Staffing Professionals, a third-party staffing agency.
- The case raises urgent questions about patient safety and institutional accountability, including what safeguards hospitals and staffing agencies should have in place to protect patients.
Travel MRI Technician Gabriel Cruz Charged with Sexual Battery of Patient
A travel MRI technician has been arrested after a patient reported that she was sexually assaulted while undergoing an MRI procedure at HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
Gabriel Cruz, 42, was arrested in Brevard County on September 16, 2026, on a charge of sexual battery involving a victim who was physically helpless or incapacitated, a first-degree felony, according to the Port St. Lucie Police Department.
According to the PSLPD, “On September 14, 2026, Port St. Lucie Police detectives responded to HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital after hospital staff reported that a female patient had disclosed she was sexually assaulted while undergoing an MRI the previous day. As detectives began investigating, they learned the patient had been receiving medical treatment and had been administered medication prior to the MRI that caused her to become significantly drowsy.”
Cruz was identified as the MRI technician assigned to perform the procedure. Investigators later learned that Cruz had been working at HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital since August 24, 2026 through American Traveler Staffing Professionals, a third-party staffing agency.
Affidavit Details Allegations Against Cruz
According to the sworn warrant affidavit, a woman had been admitted to HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital after experiencing multiple fainting episodes at home.
According to the affidavit, the patient’s nurse told investigators that the woman had “went through a lot of different medical tests” but had difficulty completing an MRI because of anxiety.
Before another attempt at an MRI, the patient was reportedly given 2 milligrams of Ativan, but transportation to the MRI was delayed. By the time the transporter arrived, the patient had become so tired that she could no longer be transported in a wheelchair and instead had to be placed on a transport bed, according to the affidavit.
The patient told investigators that she “began to feel ‘loopy’ and ‘kind of sleepy’” and did not remember being transported to the MRI room. She recalled being placed into the MRI machine, being removed from it, and then falling back asleep.
The woman “stated the male asked if she was ok and she said. ‘mm-hmm.’ [She] said she was having trouble speaking due to being so drowsy and after responding to him she fell back to sleep. During this time [the victim] was unable to resist and was helpless due to the medication she was given by the medical professionals,” according to the affidavit.
The woman recalled waking up to the male sexually assaulting her, according to court documents.
After waking up in the hospital room, “she thought this was a dream.” As the medication wore off, however, “she started remembering more details,” investigators wrote in the affidavit.
The woman reported the alleged assault the following morning to a nurse.
According to WPBF, “Video evidence obtained with the hospital’s assistance showed Cruz exiting the MRI room after the victim and disposing of materials that were later secured by law enforcement. Testing of the materials returned presumptive positive results for the presence of male semen.”
Based on the evidence collected during the investigation, police determined there was probable cause to arrest Cruz.
Gabriel Cruz Worked at the Hospital Through a Staffing Agency
Cruz had only recently begun working at HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital when the alleged assault occurred.
According to the warrant affidavit, HCA’s vice president of human resources told investigators that Cruz began working at the hospital on August 24, 2026, through American Traveler Staffing Professionals, a third-party staffing agency.
Director of Patient Safety, Sean LaFontaine, told investigators that the third-party company conducted a background check on Cruz before his arrival at the hospital and that there had been “no complaints or issues reported with Gabriel” that he was aware of.
According to the affidavit, “Gabriel was scheduled to return to work on Thursday, September 17th, however due to the nature of the complaint, HCA is requesting he does not return.”
Hospital personnel said they were in contact with the third-party agency.
In a statement provided to WPBF, HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital said:
“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.”
Port St. Lucie Police also said that the hospital had cooperated throughout its investigation.
As of the time of this writing, American Traveler Staffing Professionals has not publicly commented on the allegations.
Gabriel Cruz’s Reported Employment History
Although Cruz had worked at HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital for less than a month, a Facebook profile appearing to belong to Cruz lists an employment history in medical imaging.
According to the profile, Cruz worked at Orthopaedic Associates of Osceola as a radiologic technologist/MRI technologist from August 2007 through September 2011.
He was reportedly employed by New England Orthopedic Specialists from July 2012 through February 2014. He also reportedly worked as an MRI technologist with Alliance Imaging since February 2014.
These employment claims have not been independently verified.
Civil Liability for Alleged Sexual Abuse in a Hospital
When sexual abuse is alleged under these circumstances, it is not just a criminal matter.
It is a serious violation of the trust patients place in healthcare professionals and the institutions responsible for their care.
While criminal proceedings focus on whether an individual committed a crime, civil lawsuits can examine whether institutions fulfilled their duty to protect patients.
Hospitals and other healthcare organizations are entrusted with the safety of their patients, especially those who may be sedated, medicated, unconscious, or otherwise unable to protect themselves.
A civil investigation can examine whether reasonable safeguards were in place, how healthcare workers and contractors were screened, trained, and supervised, whether any previous complaints or warning signs were appropriately addressed, and whether institutional policies adequately protected patients.
Hospitals have a legal responsibility to maintain safe environments for those in their care. When that responsibility is called into question, civil cases can help bring transparency to what occurred.
Beyond accountability, civil claims can provide survivors with access to financial support for counseling, therapy, and other resources that can support healing and recovery. They can also help drive systemic change and protect others in the future.
How Andreozzi + Foote Can Help
If you were sexually abused by Gabriel Cruz or another healthcare professional, you may have civil legal rights, including potential claims against an institution that was responsible for your safety.
Andreozzi + Foote represents survivors of sexual abuse in Florida and nationwide. Our team approaches every case with compassion and a commitment to uncovering the truth. We work to uncover institutional failures and hold those responsible fully accountable.
Free, confidential consultations are available for those seeking to understand their rights and legal options.
Contact us today.
Image sources: Gabriel Cruz, courtesy of Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Florida (Official), Facebook. HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital, courtesy of HCA Florida Healthcare.
