Fake doctor charged with assault for allegedly performing unlicensed surgery

( KTLA ) — A man who allegedly posed as a doctor and performed unlicensed cosmetic surgery on a woman in Los Angeles has been charged with assault and battery.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced the charges against Cristian Perez Latorre on Friday.

The 53-year-old faces felony charges of assault with a deadly weapon, battery with serious injury and six counts of practicing medicine without a certification.

It’s also alleged that Latorre inflicted “great bodily injury” when he performed surgery on a woman in July 2021, which led to infections and follow-up treatment caused by complications from the unlicensed procedure.

Latorre was arrested on Thursday by the District Attorney’s Office’s Bureau of Investigation following an investigation by the California Department of Consumer Affairs.

District Attorney George Gascón said Latorre’s actions deceived the public and brought into question the integrity of the health care system and providers.

“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,” Gascón said. “We are committed to seeking justice for the victim, holding Mr. Latorre accountable and restoring the trust that has been so grievously violated.”

Kathleen Nicholls, chief of the Department of Consumer Affairs Division of Investigation, said there is “no excuse for the unlicensed practice of medicine” and vowed that crime such as these “will not be tolerated.”

If convicted as charged, Latorre faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison.

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