A Physician's Assistant is Accused of Assaulting Patient

A physician's assistant who worked at clinics in Anaheim and El Monte was scheduled Wednesday to be arraigned on charges of sexually assaulting a patient.

Rocael Gomez, 48, of La Mirada, was charged Oct. 8 with sexual penetration by foreign object of an unconscious victim and sexual battery by fraud, both felonies, according to Deputy District Attorney Jess Rodriguez.

Gomez was accused of using his fingers to sexually assault a 51-year-old woman he was assigned to care for at the Anaheim Market Clinic on Jan. 4, Rodriguez said. He allegedly touched the woman's breasts during a medical exam, the prosecutor added.

Investigators are concerned there may be other victims. Gomez also worked at the Bansuan Medical Clinic in El Monte.

Gomez faces up to nine years in prison and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration if he is convicted at trial.

Gomez was released after posting $250,000 bail.

Anyone with information relevant to the investigation was asked to call Supervising District Attorney Investigator Paul Carvo at (714) 347-8794.

-- City News Service