Nurse moved to special needs after attack

A former nurse charged with molesting unconscious patients has been moved to another portion of the Carson City jail after he was allegedly attacked by another inmate, authorities said Tuesday.

Jason Laurie, 29, has been moved to the special needs section of the jail after he was allegedly attacked by inmate Teofilo Lira on Thursday, said Lt. Ray Saylo, Carson City Jail supervisor.

"Laurie was playing cards, minding his own business and (Lira) was upset someone changed the television stations, and walked over and hit him," Saylo said. He said during the ensuing fight, Laurie received a bite to his arm, ear and a cut on his lip. Lira's nose was bloodied in the fight, Saylo said.

He said no jail staff saw the incident and it wasn't until a relative of Laurie called that anyone on the staff knew it had happened.

Laurie, a former Carson-Tahoe Hospital emergency room nurse, is being held on suspicion of one felony count of sexual assault, four counts of administering a controlled substance to aid in the commission of a crime of violence and seven gross misdemeanor counts of open and gross lewdness. He is accused of assaulting seven female emergency room patients between September to February. He has been in custody since his Feb. 14 arrest. A preliminary hearing is set for May.

Saylo said Lira was moved to a medium security cell in the jail and is in "lock down" -- unable to leave his cell -- as a result of the incident. He was charged with felony battery causing substantial bodily harm.

Lira has been in custody since his March 28 arrest on suspicion of felony battery with intent to rape, attempted sexual assault and lewdness with a minor. According to the police report, the victim is 13 years old. Lira's bail is set at $60,000.