An ultrasound technician is facing charges of sexual assault, and Turlock police believe he may have more victims than the two investigators have identified so far.

Gerald Pinatacan, 45, was an ultrasound technician at Central Valley Cardiovascular Medical Group, located at 1508 Colorado Ave. in Turlock. He was arrested on April 9 on charges of sexual battery against a patient, Turlock police announced this week, and was fired from his job. 

Pinatacan was arrested again Nov. 19 after another incident — which had occurred in February — was reported to the police on Nov. 5.

“This is an extremely troubling case,” said Police Chief Jason Hedden. “When someone seeks medical care, they place complete trust in the professionals who are there to help them. That trust was violated. Our department is committed to holding individuals accountable when they abuse positions of authority and cause harm.”

Detectives are asking anyone who received ultrasound services from Pinatacan and believes they experienced inappropriate or concerning conduct to contact Detective Gina Giovacchini at 209-668-6539.

According to the February patient, Pinatacan performed actions that were not consistent with the medical procedure she was scheduled to receive and made statements that caused her to believe the conduct was medically necessary, according to police. The patient reported additional concerning behavior by Pinatacan during a follow-up appointment in March.

The April patient made similar claims, according to a report filed by responding Officer Gustavo Gomez.

Pinatacan allegedly touched the patient inappropriately during an ultrasound examination of the varicose veins on her leg. He then asked the patient to take off her underwear and lie on her stomach, and then continued to touch her inappropriately.

The patient told a medical assistant at the facility about the exam.

“The medical assistant confirmed the procedure never requires the patient to take off her underwear or to lie on her stomach,” Gomez’s report stated.

After Pinatacan had been read his Miranda rights, he admitted to touching the patient’s genitalia and asking her to remove her underwear.

“He stated he did not touch her for sexual pleasure, but did it because she was young (the victim is in her 30s). He stated it was a mistake and a spur-of-the-moment thing, and apologized,” the report stated.

Pinatacan, a native of the Philippines, is 5-foot-8 and weighs 178 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

A spokesperson for the Central Valley Cardiovascular Medical Group, which has offices in Modesto, Merced and Los Banos declined to comment.