Ex-AMR paramedic charged with sexually assaulting patients in San Mateo County

COLMA – A former paramedic is facing charges he sexually assaulted two elderly women last year as they were being transported to the hospital, according to San Mateo County prosecutors.

Miguel Ontiveros, who worked for American Medical Response, is charged with two felony counts of forcible oral copulation. If convicted, the 35-year-old Redwood City resident faces up to life in prison.

One of the alleged assaults was reported Dec. 23, when Ontiveros and his female paramedic partner were dispatched to a Colma nursing home to transport a 76-year-old woman who had fallen to the San Mateo Medical Center, the district attorney’s office said.

According to prosecutors, Ontiveros sexually assaulted the victim while his partner was driving. His partner did not witness the alleged assault, but when they arrived at the hospital, she saw him pulling his pants up, the district attorney’s office said.

The female paramedic contacted her supervisor, prosecutors said, adding that DNA testing linked Ontiveros to the alleged assault.

In a statement to KTVU, an AMR spokesperson said the company reported the alleged assault to the California Highway Patrol and placed Ontiveros on unpaid administrative leave.

“Following his arrest, we terminated Mr. Ontiveros’ employment with AMR,” the spokesperson told the news station. “AMR is cooperating fully with law enforcement.”

An investigation revealed Ontiveros had been accused of similarly sexually assaulting an 80-year-old woman during transport on May 21, according to the district attorney’s office.

Ontiveros appeared in court Monday for an initial arraignment. He was set to return Wednesday afternoon for further arraignment and entry of plea, prosecutors said.

Ontiveros is being held at the Maguire Correctional Facility in Redwood City on $3 million bail, according to jail records.

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