A Guatemalan national residing in Houston, Texas, is currently facing serious legal charges following an alleged incident involving a fraudulent dental operation.
Cesar Augusto Perez Mejia is accused of inflicting severe injuries on a woman, reportedly breaking her teeth and jaw with pliers during an unauthorized dental procedure in his apartment.
According to KPRC-TV, the incident occurred on September 30, 2024, when the victim sought dental care from Perez, who was charging upwards of $250 for his services. In addition to the crude dental work, Perez allegedly administered anesthesia to the woman. As reported by Western Journal, Perez is now in custody with an ICE detainer, allowing the agency to hold him for up to 48 hours post-release to facilitate federal custody and potential deportation. He faces charges of practicing dentistry without a license and aggravated assault, as noted by KPRC-TV.
Perez's legal troubles are not new; he was previously arrested in February 2024 on a separate aggravated assault charge. Alejandra Moncada, a neighbor of Perez, recounted an incident where he allegedly attacked her with a screwdriver. "I was sitting down, and he came out with a screwdriver and was assaulting me. We had to call the cops, and when the cops came, he was still on a rampage," Moncada stated. She believes Perez mistook her for someone else, claiming, "He told me that my older daughter shattered his car windows. The thing is thats not true, because my kids are small."
The Houston Police Department confirmed to Texas Scorecard that Mejia is currently held in Harris County Jail, awaiting his next court appearance. ICE has verified the existence of an immigration hold on Perez.
This alarming case emerges amid warnings from the American Dental Association about a rise in unlicensed dental procedures. Such unauthorized practices can lead to severe complications, including intense pain, nerve damage, and tooth loss, as reported by KPRC-TV. The association emphasizes the importance of verifying dental professionals' credentials, with each state maintaining its own licensure program for dentists and dental hygienists. For those seeking licensed practitioners, the American Dental Association provides a resourceful map on their website to locate certified dentists within specific areas.
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