San Leandro Hospital nurse charged with sexual battery of patient during injection

SAN LEANDRO — A 69-year-old man has been charged with sexual assault of a patient at San Leandro Hospital, which police say occurred when the defendant was working there as a nurse.

Merlin Pineda was charged with one count of sexual battery by restraint and one count of sexual battery of an institutionalized victim, both related to the alleged May 2022 incident involving the same woman. Pineda is out of custody while the case is pending, and pleaded not guilty on Dec. 28, court records show.

According to police, Pineda touched the woman’s genitals after going into her room to give her an injection and later made lewd comments about wanting to personally give her an anal suppository. Later, when the woman was being discharged, Pineda allegedly hugged her and touched her breasts and told her he would miss her.

The woman reported the incident to police. During an interview, she began crying and appeared traumatized, authorities said.

The charges were filed on Dec. 21, court records show.