A man who masqueraded as a doctor for a decade faces 10 years in jail for allegedly performing botched plastic surgery without a license.
Cristian Adrian Perez Latorre, 53, fooled patients, celebrities, and news outlets for years as he ran his surgery in Los Angeles.
But his ruse collapsed on Thursday when he was arrested and accused of ‘inflicting great bodily injury’ on a woman during three surgeries in 2021.
Latorre claimed on his social media accounts to be a board certified plastic surgeon in Argentina and a ‘registered nurse first assistant and facial specialist’ in the US.
Whether he was certified in Argentina but lacked the required US registration, or was entirely unqualified, is unclear.
Cristian Adrian Perez Latorre, 53, fooled patients, celebrities, and news outlets for years as he ran his surgery in Los Angeles
His ruse collapsed on Thursday when he was arrested and accused of ‘inflicting great bodily injury’ on a woman during three surgeries in 2021
Latorre claimed on his social media accounts to be a board certified plastic surgeon in Argentina and a ‘registered nurse first assistant and facial specialist’ in the US
Latorre appeared from his social media activity to have been living in LA for at least the past decade, and wrote in one post that he was originally from Barcelona.
Bizarre photo shoots with models promoted his services, showing him mock bandaging them, or the women lying next to him with surgery outlines marked.
He posed with celebrities including the infamous ‘Human Ken Doll’ Jessica Alves, who had more than 100 plastic surgeries to look like the Barbie character, and later had more to become a transgender woman.
Even major TV stations believed he was legitimate, including CNN, which interviewed him for its Español edition in June 2014.
Latorre was extensively interviewed on Spanish-language TV last year about the illness and subsequent death of Argentinian actress Silvina Luna.
Luna died on August 31 last year from a kidney illness related to a botched Brazilian butt lift she got in 2011 from disgraced surgeon Anïbal Lotocki.
Latorre appeared from his social media activity to have been living in LA for at least the past decade, and wrote in one post that he was originally from Barcelona
Latorre poses with actor Mickey Rourke
Bizarre photoshoots with models promoted his services, showing the women lying next to him with surgery outlines marked
Other promotional photos showed him mock bandaging models after ‘surgery’
He injected Luna with a liquid that contained polymethylmethacrylate, which is banned by Argentina’s National Administration of Drugs, Food and Medical Technology.
The substance is a transparent and rigid plastic which manufacturers utilize as a substitute for glass in vehicle parts, lenses, panels and windows.
Luna required medical attention in 2015 when she was treated for kidney stones. Doctors diagnosed her with renal insufficiency and hypercalcemia, and was placed on weekly dialysis treatments until she could get a kidney transplant.
Latorre operated on her in 2016 to remove the dangerous substance from her buttocks after she met with him in Miami, though it was not clear where the surgery was performed.
Luna appeared alongside Latorre in an interview with Todas las Tardes just weeks before her death.
During another interview with Telefe Noticias, he claimed Lotocki ‘poisoned’ Luna with his procedure, and gave her a ‘death sentence’.
‘These autoimmune diseases caused by liquid silicone can be more complicated than cancer, because sometimes you can remove the cancer, but once it enters the bloodstream it can no longer be eradicated. You have killed the patient,’ he said.
Latorre operated on Silvina Luna, who appeared alongside Latorre in this interview with Todas las Tardes just weeks before her death
Luna died on August 31 last year from a kidney illness related to a botched Brazilian butt lift she got in 2011 from disgraced surgeon Anïbal Lotocki
Silvina Luna poses backstage in the press room at the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards Latin America at the Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami
Latorre was extensively interviewed last year about Luna’s illness and death on Spanish-language TV as he operated on her in 2016 to remove the dangerous substance from her buttocks
A year later, he is behind bars charged with six counts of practicing medicine without a certification, and one each of assault with a deadly weapon and battery with serious injury.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said Latorre faced a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison.
Latorre allegedly performed the surgery on the woman on July 13, 2021, then treated her for infections related to the procedure on July 23, and again on August 13 for additional complications.
‘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.
Latorre posed with celebrities including the infamous ‘Human Ken Doll’ Jessica Alves (far right), who had more than 100 plastic surgeries to look like the Barbie character, and later had more to become a transgender woman
Latorre is behind bars charged with six counts of practicing medicine without a certification, and one each of assault with a deadly weapon and battery with serious injury
Even major TV stations believed he was legitimate, including CNN, which interviewed him for its Español edition in June 2014
‘This act of deception threatens the integrity of our healthcare system and the confidence that the community has in those dedicated to their well-being.
‘We are committed to seeking justice for the victim, holding Mr. Latorre accountable and restoring the trust that has been so grievously violated.’
The case was investigated by the California Department of Consumer Affairs, whose division of investigation chief Kathleen Nicholls said there was no excuse for Latorre’s alleged behavior.
‘Anyone who violates the law and endangers the health of others must face the consequences of dangerous and selfish actions,’ she said.
‘We are grateful for our law enforcement partners and investigators who worked tirelessly on this case.’
Latorre allegedly performed the surgery on the woman on July 13, 2021, then treated her for infections related to the procedure on July 23, and again on August 13 for additional complications
Latorre in another interview with Spanish-language TV
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