SEXUAL ASSAULT CHARGES Michael Morgan, RN, allegedly touched 2 female patients inappropriately while they were anesthetized. He remains behind bars, awaiting arraignment.

A male nurse who allegedly groped 2 female patients while they were under anesthesia at an Atlanta endoscopy center is behind bars.

Michael Morgan, RN, turned himself in in at the Fulton County jail last Friday on sexual assault charges. Mr. Morgan, 33, allegedly lifted the gowns and bras of 2 female patients while they were under anesthesia and touched their breasts, according to Sandy Springs (Ga.) police. The incidents took place at the Northern Crescent Endoscopy center between February and April of this year. Mr. Morgan has been charged with 2 counts of sexual battery and 2 counts of custodial sexual assault.

The allegations came to light after 2 Atlanta-area pastors contacted police claiming to have knowledge of a possible sexual assault at the endoscopy center, according to an incident report obtained by Outpatient Surgery Magazine. The report describes the pastors as "being careful" in telling the police how they obtained the information, but they said Mr. Morgan had sexually assaulted "several" women — specifically, lifting their gowns or brassieres to touch their breasts — while they were under anesthesia.

M. Scott Bailey, an attorney representing Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates, says Mr. Morgan is no longer employed by the GI center, which is located on Emory's Saint Joseph Hospital's campus. He says all prospective employees undergo rigorous screenings as part of the hiring process, and there was nothing in Mr. Morgan's background check that raised any red flags.

"We're constantly evaluating safety protocols, and there were and are policies and procedures in place — particularly with the clinical personnel — that place patient safety above all other priorities," says Mr. Bailey. "I think all the physicians and staff were pretty shocked and surprised to learn about this."

A representative from Fulton County Jail says Mr. Morgan is being held without bond and will remain there until his arraignment on May 26. Police say more victims could come forward.

Bill Donahue