BREA, Calif. (KABC) — A man charged with multiple felonies for impersonating a doctor has been charged with trying to set up a new Botox business in Orange County less than two weeks after being released from prison.
In April 2023, Elias Renteria Segoviano, 63, pleaded guilty to 13 felony counts of unlicensed practice of medicine, which included Botox injections and lip and facial fillers on at least 28 women.
“Segoviano admitted to performing invasive procedures and injecting victims with potentially counterfeit Botox, fillers, anesthetics and other medical drugs that put the public at extreme risk,” a statement from the Orange County District Attorney’s office said.
Officials say Segoviano was sentenced to four years for perjury and two years for illegally practicing medicine, to be served concurrently. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation told ABC7 he received 584 days of pre-sentence credit for time served awaiting trial and was eligible for credit-earning opportunities while incarcerated.
He was released on post-release community supervision after serving his sentence, CDCR said.
Less than two weeks later, on Jan. 4 — while on post-release supervision — Segoviano allegedly attempted to sublet space at Phenix Salon in Brea.
“We’re all independent suite owners and we offer services from hair, facials, lashes, nails, everything,” said Diego Ortega, who has run his hair salon business out of Phenix Salon Suites for the past 10 years.
Ortega met Segoviano as he toured the salon trying to restart his botox injection business.
“I asked him, ‘Wouldn’t it be better in a doctor’s office or something instead?’ Ortega recalls. “He said, ‘No, the things I do are non-invasive and all I need is a chair like yours.’
“He knew someone was watching him and he didn’t care,” said Kimberly Edds, the director of public relations for the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
The DA’s office believes the bogus doctor targeted Hispanic women and lured them into his business by presenting himself as a highly trained health professional.
“He wasn’t even being honest with the people he was trying to sublet space with at Phenix Salon. He used a fake name to try to throw them off the track that he was who he really was,” Edds said. “He was going by Elias when his first name was Elias, and hoping they wouldn’t find out he had a criminal record and wasn’t licensed to perform these procedures.”
“He wanted to get back into business and lure these women into his office and perform these illegal procedures,” Eads added.
Segoviano is now charged with the unauthorized practice of medicine and falsely representing himself as a licensed physician. He faces up to three years in prison.
Anyone who feels they have been victimized by Segoviano is asked to call OCDA Office of Investigator Jesse Alfonzo at 714-834-6538.
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