A Houston dentistry duo has been busted after two decades of drilling without a license, and one of them is facing additional charges after allegedly getting handsy with a patient. The rogue practice, operating out of an innocuous second-story office with a sign marked "Private," was only unearthed after police came to investigate allegations of sexual assault.
Jose Alfredo Uzeta, the accused, told the court he had been seeing about eight patients a day, charging $3,000 for braces, a procedure that typically costs between $4,000 and $6,000. Alberto Alanis Flores, his partner in the illegal operation, had already been released on a $15,000 bond, according to KTRK.
Authorities learned of the unlicensed practice after allegations surfaced from a former patient who claimed Uzeta touched her inappropriately during an appointment. After the defendant read his statutory warnings, he admitted he was not licensed in the State of Texas, did not have a Social Security number, and knew it was illegal to practice dentistry without a license, as KHOU reported.
Upon investigation, the office reeked of fraudulence, with Dr. Dustin Mai, renting the adjacent tenant space, noting he would hear consistent banging, construction, and doing all kinds of stuff, and it would sound like they're drilling or doing things like remodeling. Uzeta, who remains behind bars facing a combined $80,000 in bonds, was also hit with an indecent assault charge after a patient recounted a disturbing incident during which she was touched, unhooked, massaged, and kissed against her will, as detailed by KTRK. Police also reportedly found condoms near his work area during their search.
The Houston Police Department now believes there could be more victims out there and urges any other individuals who have been treated at this clandestine clinic to come forward.
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