Nurse Convicted of Sexually Assaulting Incapacitated Female Patients

DATE: March 29, 2022

CASE: Gregory Harms (Case #19FE020222)

PROSECUTOR:  Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Masingale, Adult Sex Assault Prosecution Unit

Gregory Harms was convicted by a jury of sexually assaulting two female patients. The jury also found true that Harms tied/bound one of the victims in the commission of the sexual assault.

In 2011, Harms was a nurse at a Carmichael surgery center. On April 4, 2011,  the victim was a patient at the surgery center and Harms was her assigned nurse. Harms sexually assaulted the victim while she was in an incapacitated state recovering from surgery.  The victim immediately reported the assault.  In 2019, Harms was a nurse at a Folsom hospital. The victim was a patient in the hospital and was unable to move her arms and legs or speak. Her only form of communication was a thumbs up or down and limited writing capabilities. On January 10, 2019, Harms was the victim’s assigned nurse. He entered the victim’s hospital room, tied her only working hand to the hospital bed and sexually assaulted her.  Immediately after the assault, a respiratory therapist entered the victim’s room and observed her in distress and tied to the bed. After being untied, the victim was able to report the assault.

Harms faces a maximum sentence of 29 years to life in prison. Sentencing is set for April 29, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. in Department 10 before the Honorable Ernest Sawtelle.

© Copyright Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office | All Rights Reserved