Kermit, TX—Winkler County District Attorney Michael Fostel is finally breaking his silence about the case involving two Kermit nurses. But, he isn’t saying much, Fostel sent this statement to Big 2 News: "...it has been my policy to not try cases in the media, but rather to try them in the courtroom."

The two nurses’, 53-year-old Vickie Galle and 51-year-old Anne Mitchell recently filed a compliant with the Texas Medical Board against a local doctor. They were fired and are facing third-degree felony charges. The Texas Nurses Association is livid. They said nurses file complaints all the time, but this is the first time nurses have ever faced criminal charges.

The TNA said nurses are required by law to report questionable physicians to the Texas Medical Board. Then they look at the physician’s practice, and make a decision.

"It's very important to overall safety and health of people involved in health care to have multiple people watching out and trying to call attention to areas where anyone is in concern,” said Jordan.

Indictment papers obtained by Big 2 News show Roland Arafiles is the doctor they’re accused of trying to harm, though it doesn’t say what sensitive information they released. It also states the two nurses are being officially charged with misuse of official information.

"It has chilling affect on other practitioners who may question something and the consumers would like to bring it to their attention but again are they willing to risk criminal charges and their job," said Jordan.

Something that the TNA said is now on the mind of health care practitioners around the country.

The Texas Nurses Association is raising money to help with their legal defense, and the American Nurses Association is also supporting them in their fight.

The TNA said Dr. Arafiles has also filed a harassment complaint against the nurses.

If the nurses are convicted on these charges, they could face up to 10 years behind bars, and a $10,000 fine.

The Texas Nurses Association:

http://www.texasnurses.org/