A man in Los Angeles has been charged with assault and battery after allegedly posing as a doctor and performing unlicensed cosmetic surgery on a woman.
The charges against Cristian Perez Latorre were announced by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on Friday.
The 53-year-old is currently facing several serious charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, battery resulting in serious injury, and six counts of practicing medicine without the necessary certification.
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Latorre is accused of causing “great bodily injury” to a woman during a surgery he performed in July 2021. The unlicensed procedure resulted in infections and complications, which required further treatment for the patient.
The California Department of Consumer Affairs conducted an investigation that led to the arrest of Latorre on Thursday. The arrest was made by the District Attorney’s Office’s Bureau of Investigation.
District Attorney George Gascón expressed his disapproval of Latorre’s actions, stating that they not only deceived the public but also cast doubt on the integrity of the healthcare system and its providers.
Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón expressed concern over the dangerous implications of someone impersonating a doctor and carrying out medical procedures without proper licensing. Not only does this jeopardize the lives of patients, but it also undermines the crucial trust between individuals seeking healthcare and genuine medical professionals. Gascón emphasized the commitment to ensuring justice for the victim and holding Mr. Latorre responsible for his actions. The ultimate goal is to restore the trust that has been gravely violated in this case.
According to Kathleen Nicholls, the head of the Department of Consumer Affairs Division of Investigation, the unlicensed practice of medicine is completely unacceptable, and she is determined to ensure that such crimes are not tolerated.
If Latorre is found guilty as charged, he could potentially be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years in state prison.
