A man from Moorpark, California was arrested Wednesday after it was discovered by police that he reportedly used the bathroom in his apartment as a dentist office. The bathroom was fitted with a dental chair, false teeth and anesthetic drugs, according to a report from NBC 4 Los Angeles.
The suspect, identified as William Escobar, was arrested for suspicion of felony practice of dentistry without a license, possession of needles and misdemeanor furnishing of dangerous drugs. The information comes from a press release prepared by Sgt. Victor Fazio of the Moorpark Police Department.
Officers carried out an investigation that lasted over one month when a reported patient of Escobar’s complained of issues. The patient said that Escobar cleaned his teeth, recommended he have a tooth pulled and injected his gums with anesthetic. The patient said he was suffering from pain and swelling where he received the injection.
Fazio said that the patient did not have enough money to pay for the tooth removal, so it was never performed. Despite the extraction not taking place, Escobar reportedly called the patient to threaten him, saying he still owed money.
The apartment where Escobar lives is located in the 600 block of Spring road. The officers found “an elaborate illegal dental operation” in a bathroom, according to Fazio.
Investigators said that they discovered evidence that Escobar had ‘numerous customers,’ some of whom were teenagers receiving orthodonture care from the suspect.
“Investigators are especially interested in speaking to any children and their parents who received dental or orthodonture care from Escobar,” Fazio said.