PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Four people are facing a string of charges in connection with a case in Port St. Lucie where unlicensed employees performed a variety of botched cosmetic surgery procedures, police say.
The investigation began after police received criminal complaints from the Department of Health against Cosmetica Plastic Surgery and Anti-Aging Store and several of its employees in May 2022. The store, now closed, was located at 1941 Southeast Port St. Lucie Blvd.
Investigators said complaints received by the Department of Health allegations that cosmetic surgery procedures were being performed by physician assistants rather than licensed surgeons.
WPTV investigates
Why are so many unlicensed doctors being arrested in Florida?
June 18, 2024 6:20 PM
Detectives said they identified four victims who underwent a variety of cosmetic surgery procedures, including “360-degree liposuction,” “Brazilian butt lift with fat transfer,” “tummy tuck” and “breast augmentation.”
Police say the surgeries took place between 2021 and 2022, and all four victims suffered various surgical complications, including necrotic skin spreading from the surgical site, with the costs of the surgeries ranging from $6,800 to $22,900.
WPTV
Police said their investigation revealed that the surgery was performed by a physician assistant, 51-year-old Adley DaSilva, and that no U.S.-licensed physician was present during the procedure.
The investigation also revealed that Mr. daSilva’s wife, Kiomie Quintiana, 41, who is not licensed to practice medicine in the United States, performed procedures such as Botox injections and treated surgical complications from Mr. daSilva’s cosmetic surgery, authorities said.
Investigators also said surgical technician Diane Linda Milan, 52, and anesthesiologist Farmal Lee Simpson, 74, participated in the unauthorized surgery despite knowing there were no licensed surgeons on-site.
Both Milan and Simpson were arrested in St. Lucie County on June 13 on outstanding warrants for each of the three counts of operating or participating in a fraudulent organized crime enterprise.
Quintiana was also arrested in Palm Beach County on June 13 on outstanding warrants for one count of RICO (conducting or participating in an organized fraudulent business), one count of grand theft by fraudulent scheme, one count of organized fraud and three counts of practicing medicine without a license.
WPTV
DaSilva was arrested in Martin County on June 14 on outstanding warrants for one count of conducting or participating in an organized fraudulent enterprise, four counts of aggravated assault with serious bodily injury, one count of theft by fraudulent scheme, one count of organized fraud and four counts of practicing medicine without a license.
A fifth member of the surgical group remains at large, with one warrant out for his arrest on one count of operating or participating in a criminally organized crime (RICO) enterprise, police said.
“[It started out as a] “This legitimate business started legitimately with a doctor,” Deputy Police Chief Leo Niemczyk said. “Eventually, the staff took over the business without the doctor’s knowledge and performed procedures without the doctor’s knowledge.”
Cosmetica Plastic Surgery closed its doors in 2023.
The Port St. Lucie Police Department is asking anyone who believes they may be a victim of Cosmetica Plastic Surgery & Anti-Aging to contact Detective Amy Marovecki at 772-871-5001.
WPTV
Doctors worked to repair the damage.
Dr. Greg DeLange remembers one particular patient who visited his Palm Beach Gardens clinic in 2022.
“We’ve had cases where breast implants have come out of the skin because they were done by untrained people,” DeLange says, “and we’ve also had cases where the epicanthoplasty was asymmetrical, with one eye higher and one lower.”
These cases will leave lasting physical scars as well as psychological scars, he said.
“You only get one chance to do a job right,” DeLange said. “You don’t get a second chance, a third chance, a fourth chance. You just can’t do it. So do it right the first time.”
What should patients be aware of?
Donato Viggiano, MD, who practices one block away from the former Cosmetica Plastic Surgery location, says it’s important to look for the words “plastic surgeon” before undergoing cosmetic surgery.
“If it says plastic surgeon, that means they went to plastic surgery school and have been doing only plastic surgery for two or more years,” Villano said. “That’s what they’re trained for. If it says cosmetic surgery but doesn’t say plastic surgery anywhere, then they’re not a plastic surgeon.”
