Two weeks after an Orange County man was released from prison after serving a sentence for impersonating a medical professional and performing cosmetic procedures without a license, authorities say he again attempted to open an illegal Botox practice.
Elias Renteria Segoviano, 63, faces new charges after his probation officer noticed he had again tried to rent space at Phenix Salon Suites in Brea. It was there that he previously operated, illegally, a business called Botox in Anaheim, according to a news release from the Orange County district attorney.
Elías Rentería Segoviano admitted to performing invasive procedures with potentially counterfeit substances, authorities say.
(Orange County District Attorney's Office)
Last month, prosecutors said, Segoviano provided the suite's owners with a false name and shared plans to perform Botox injections and thread facelifts, both of which require medical clearances that Segoviano does not have. Segoviano also applied for a business license from the city of Brea, although he was denied, prosecutors said.
Segoviano, of Brea, was first arrested in July 2022 at the Phenix Salon, where officials said he targeted Spanish-speaking women and performed a variety of cosmetic procedures on more than two dozen victims. The procedures included Botox and facial and lip fillers that Segoviano admitted used counterfeit and potentially harmful medications, according to the district attorney.
Segoviano later pleaded guilty to multiple felonies, including unauthorized practice of medicine, false indication of a medical license, and perjury. He also pleaded guilty to impersonating a licensed physician, misrepresenting his qualifications and impersonating a nurse practitioner, all misdemeanors.
“Segoviano admitted to performing invasive procedures and injecting victims with Botox, fillers, anesthetics and other potentially counterfeit medications that put the public at extreme risk,” the district attorney's statement said.
He was sentenced to four years, but was released in December after getting credit for time served in prison before pleading guilty. After being released, he was placed under community supervision.
About a month later, Segoviano was arrested again and remains jailed on $20,000 bail, prosecutors said. He has been charged with two felony counts of unauthorized practice of medicine and one misdemeanor count of falsely representing himself as a licensed physician.
“This man walked the talk and talked about being a licensed medical professional, but he was anything but what he pretended to be,” the Orange County District said. Lawyer. Todd Spitzer said in a statement. “The fact that he was out of prison for less than two weeks – and while under supervision – when he returned to a life of crime makes it painfully obvious that he has no intention of changing his behavior and will continue to try to make money from unsuspecting women whenever he can”.
The district attorney's office asked anyone who may have been treated by Segoviano to contact investigator Jesse Alfonzo at (714) 834-6538.
