DETROIT (WWJ) -- A Detroit nurse who was convicted of raping a patient will spend 10 to 15 years in prison.
Wilfredo Figueroa-Berrios was sentenced Friday afternoon in Wayne County Circuit Court, just weeks after a jury found him guilty on two counts of criminal sexual conduct.
He was found not guilty on three other charges.
Investigators said Figueroa-Berrios sexually assaulted several patients while working as a nurse at Sinai-Grace hospital, and other local facilities.
One victim who addressed the court during the sentence hearing said coming forward about what Figueroa-Berrios did to her was one of the hardest things she's ever done. Just talking about it is painful, she said, and what happened affected her profoundly.
"It's not something that I will ever forget, and it's left me afraid of hospitals and afraid to trust people," she said. "Because now I know there a real monster out there; he was one of them. He wore scrubs and a badge, and I trusted him. And I don't know how to trust like that again."
For his part, Figueroa-Berrios maintained his innocence, and said he was "a very good nurse" and is "not a monster."
He faces two more trials, on similar charges, set to begin in early in 2027.
Responding to the filing of the charges early this year, Sinai-Grace Hospital released the following statement:
"Sinai-Grace Hospital prioritizes the safety of our patients. The hospital has rigorous processes in place to screen applicants prior to employment. There was no indication of a concern during that process. We also have processes to identify and address patient safety issues and take appropriate action. Upon becoming aware of allegations against Mr. Berrios, Sinai-Grace proactively initiated contact with and notified law enforcement. The hospital also immediately suspended and ultimately terminated his employment. We do not condone any type of abuse and are cooperating fully with law enforcement. Federal privacy laws restrict us from sharing patient-specific information."
Anyone who has been assaulted by the defendant is urged to report it police in the jurisdiction where the assault occurred. Victims can also call Avalon Healing Center for supportive services at 313-964-9701.
