FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DEFENDANT PLEADS TO PRACTICING DENTISTRY WITHOUT A LICENSE

San Antonio, Texas: May 19, 2011

Bexar County District Attorney Susan D. Reed announced today that Julio de la Fuente, age 54, entered a plea of no contest to the felony offense of Practicing Dentistry without a License.

This charge arises from events in 2009 and 2010 when de la Fuente practiced dentistry at a location in Castle Hills on Blanco Road and later at a second site on Huebner Road. De la Fuente originally practiced dentistry in Mexico. He then moved to San Antonio, employed unlicensed assistants, and created the appearance of a legitimate San Antonio dentist office and practice. His patients believed he was a dentist licensed to practice in the State of Texas. The investigation was conducted by both the Castle Hills and San Antonio Police Departments.

The agreement calls for a term of confinement of 5 years in prison. The State opposes the defendant’s application for community supervision. Because de la Fuente has never been convicted of a felony, by law he is eligible for deferred adjudication. As part of the plea bargain the State has required the defendant to pay back the fees he collected from various patients. District Court Judge Juanita Gardner of the 399th District Judge will determine de la Fuente’s punishment on July 11, 2011.

Practicing Dentistry without a License, a provision of the Texas Occupations Code §264.151, is punishable as a third degree felony with a range of punishment of 2 years to 10 years confinement in the Texas Department of Corrections and up to a $10,000.00 fine.

For more information contact Adriana Biggs, White Collar Crime Division Chief at (210)335-2404.