A 34-year-old Nigerian paramedic, Akingbiwaju Opadele, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison in the United States after being convicted of sexually assaulting a teenage patient while she was being transported to a hospital in an ambulance.
A Mecklenburg County jury found Opadele guilty of second-degree forcible sex offense and sexual activity by a custodian following a trial that concluded earlier this month. He was sentenced to 144 months in prison and ordered to register as a sex offender for 30 years.
Prosecutors said the incident occurred on January 17, 2023, after the victim suffered a seizure at school and was transported by Fort Mill Emergency Medical Services to Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital.
According to the indictment, Opadele sexually assaulted the teenager while she was physically helpless and mentally incapacitated during the journey.
The victim reportedly disclosed the alleged assault after arriving at the hospital, prompting an investigation that led to Opadele’s arrest in March 2023.
He was initially charged with second-degree forcible sex offense, sexual activity by a custodian and sexual contact or penetration under the pretext of medical treatment. Prosecutors later dropped the medical treatment-related charge in August.
Following his arrest, Opadele was released on a $15,000 bond and remained out of custody until his conviction. Consequently, he will not receive credit for time served toward his prison sentence.
