A Minnesota nurse is facing serious charges for allegedly abusing a patient in a coma, both physically and sexually.

On December 2, authorities were informed by the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center about alarming allegations against 63-year-old James Mackey. Security footage reportedly showed Mackey, during nebulizer treatments, pinching the comatose man’s nose shut, forcefully placing a large object in the victim’s groin area, and roughly handling the patient’s limbs, as reported by KAAL.

Employed by Regency Home Healthcare in Austin, Mackey had been caring for the patient since January 2025. Under his care, the patient had been hospitalized several times, raising additional concerns about Mackey’s conduct.

The Post Bulletin further revealed disturbing evidence, including footage of Mackey inserting his finger into the patient’s rectum, mishandling the patient’s tracheostomy tube, yanking the patient up by his hair, improperly swapping his feeding and medication tubes, and inserting a suction tube deep into the patient’s throat, causing him to gag and struggle to breathe.

Moreover, Mackey allegedly threatened the patient with further abuse if he didn’t comply with sleep, and he was reportedly heard on tape demeaning the patient by calling him a “good dog” and instructing him to bark.

The alleged incidents occurred on November 22, 26, and 28, 2025. Regency Home Healthcare said Mackey was removed from all schedules during its internal investigation.

Mackey admitted to all the actions he was seen doing on camera — but he described them as his “little tricks” for treating the patient, the Post Bulletin reported.

Mackey, who appeared in court on Tuesday, is charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct, including penetration, victim mentally impaired/physically helpless; felony criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult by caretaker; and three charges of gross misdemeanor fourth-degree assault of a vulnerable adult. His bail was set at $100,000 bail with conditions, or $150,000 bail without conditions.

[Feature Photo: Olmstead County police]