GLASSELL PARK : Man Accused of Posing as Doctor

An El Centro man accused of practicing medicine without a license out of a Glassell Park home will be arraigned in Municipal Court Thursday.

State Medical Board investigators posed as patients with fake ailments who sought help from Jorge Vargas Villanueva, 50. Villanueva became the target of the undercover operation after a licensed physician lodged a complaint with the state agency.

Villanueva is charged with two counts each of practicing medicine without a license, misrepresenting himself as a doctor and one count of selling an illegal hypodermic needle and syringe.

The first two counts of practicing medicine without a license are punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a $1,200 fine. The other counts are each punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

“I believe he’s been doing it for at least a year,” said Deputy City Atty. Mark Lambert, who is handling the case. The state investigation took place last April.

One state agent complained of stomach and back pains and was diagnosed by Villanueva as having high blood pressure and gastritis, Lambert said.

Villanueva allegedly dispensed tablets of Piroxicam, an anti-inflammatory drug, and Ranitidina, a medicine for gastric acidity.

The agent, who declined an injection of medication, said Villanueva charged him $39 for the visit and medication.

The second agent said she went to Villanueva’s office complaining of headaches, pain in her neck and night sweats. The agent said Villanueva diagnosed her as having rheumatism and suffering from emotional problems, and gave her tablets of Piroxicam and Naproxen, also an anti-inflammatory drug used to treat rheumatism.

The agent said Villanueva also gave her an ampule of Perlutal, a birth-control drug illegal in the U.S., and a syringe with an attached hypodermic needle, Lambert said.

The agent reportedly declined the injection and paid Villanueva $39 for the visit and medication, and an extra $10 for the Perlutal and syringe.

The agents said they saw “numerous” certificates on the walls of Villanueva’s office referring to him as a physician, surgeon and obstetrician/gynecologist. The state Medical Board has no record of Villanueva being licensed to practice medicine in California.

Villanueva’s San Diego attorney, Luis Casillas Robles said he expected to enter a not guilty plea for his client.