INDIO, CA — An Indio business owner and an unlicensed medical practitioner who allegedly performed unauthorized cosmetic surgical procedures are set to appear in court next week for a bail reduction hearing.
Sandra Leticia Felix Gomez and Alfonso Salvador Gomez Sotelo, both 46, were arrested last week following an investigation by the Indio Police Department at Gomez's establishment, Fajas Salud y Vanidades, located in the 81700 block of Highway 111.
Both defendants face two counts of operating an unlicensed facility, and one count each of conspiracy and mayhem — the latter stemming from an unspecified cosmetic surgical procedure.
The pair were arraigned Monday alongside Sotelo's spouse, co-defendant Renee Daniela Romo Ramirez, 33, who is charged with conspiracy and operating an unlicensed facility. All three pleaded not guilty to the felony charges. Riverside County Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Tucker scheduled a bail review hearing for May 13 at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.
The hearing will allow attorneys for Gomez and Sotelo to argue for bail reductions. Each is being held in lieu of $1 million bail — Gomez at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, and Sotelo at the Benoit Detention Center in Indio.
Ramirez is being held at the Banning jail on $20,000 bail. Her attorney did not request a bail reduction hearing.
According to IPD Sergeant Abe Plata, detectives worked with investigators from the California Department of Consumer Affairs to determine whether Fajas Salud y Vanidades was providing illicit procedures to clients.
The business's social media pages appear to list tummy tucks, body-shaping, and supporting devices as available services, presumably handled by Sotelo. There are also indications that facial beautification options were offered. In one post, Sotelo's credentials include mention of his graduation from the University of Veracruzana in Veracruz, Mexico. Other posts show multiple certificates on a wall, but the images do not clearly depict what the documents state.
"Investigators determined that Sotelo is not licensed to practice medicine in California," Plata said.
All three defendants were taken into custody without incident on Thursday. The investigation is ongoing. Plata said anyone who may have been victimized should call IPD detectives at 760-391-4057 or the Department of Consumer Affairs at 916-340-5892.
Source: Read the original report | Published: May 07, 2026