Fake plastic surgeon causes ‘great’ injury to woman, CA officials say. He’s charged
A man has been charged after being accused of posing as a doctor and performing cosmetic surgery on a woman, resulting in injury, California prosecutors say.
Cristian Perez Latorre, 53, is facing multiple charges stemming from the July 2021 unlicensed surgery, including assault with a deadly weapon, battery with serious injury and practicing medicine without a certification, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said in an Aug. 23 news release.
Prosecutors also allege “Latorre inflicted great bodily injury.”
McClatchy News was not able to reach Latorre for comment.
“When an individual masquerades as a doctor and performs medical procedures without a license, it not only endangers lives but also erodes the essential trust between patients and legitimate healthcare providers,” District Attorney George Gascón said in the release.
Three years ago, Latorre performed cosmetic surgery on a female patient without proper licensing, according to prosecutors.
A little more than a week after the surgery, the woman returned to Latorre to have her infections from the surgery treated, prosecutors said.
Latorre treated the woman again three weeks later “for further complications,” prosecutors said.
He was arrested on Aug. 22 following an investigation by the California Department of Consumer Affairs, according to prosecutors.
“There is no excuse for the unlicensed practice of medicine, and it will not be tolerated,” Kathleen Nicholls with the California Department of Consumer Affairs said in the release.
In his Instagram profile, Latorre advertises himself as a board certified plastic surgeon.
Latorre was released from jail custody after posting $150,000 bail, records show, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Latorre could face up to 10 years in state prison if convicted, prosecutors say.
Anyone with additional information about Latorre is asked to call 213-257-3010.
This story was originally published August 26, 2024 at 9:52 AM with the headline "Fake plastic surgeon causes ‘great’ injury to woman, CA officials say. He’s charged."
