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On February 19th, officers carried out a search warrant at a medical center linked to a woman accused of operating an unlicensed dental clinic. The investigation began after a customer contacted the suspect for a root canal and paid up front. Midway through the procedure, she stopped, said she couldn't complete it, and refused to refund. >> Police department search warrant. Police department search warrant. >> 14, 15. >> Hey. >> Hey, hey, hey, on the ground. >> Do not move. >> Don't move. Hands up. Hands up. Hands up. >> Who else is back there with you? >> Manos arriba. Manos arriba. Okay. We're watching. We're watching. I got to go in the back there. Okay. >> Come out to me. >> Okay. All right. All right. We're going to clear it out. Daniel, you want to stay with her real quick? >> Face away from me. >> All right. We're going to check this out real quick. >> It's all right. Relax. Relax. Relax. Relax. Take a breath. Take a breath. Take a breath. You're okay. You're okay. >> You got it. I got cover. Go ahead. All right. I got it. Just bring them No, she says no. Bring them over this way. Sorry, do you want us to stay with them, too, please? Police department. Hands up. All right. It's clear. It's just one room. Yep. Okay. >> The suspect isn't present when officers arrive, but they're able to contact her after detaining two women running a nail salon in the same unit. >> I got it. I got it. I got it. Okay. We're going to go in there. Is that >> It's all clear. >> Okay. It's all clear in the back of the house. >> In number of the police in the South River, okay? Okay. >> No. >> Where is Anna? Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. So, she's home. So, I'll give her a call. I will come out here. Um they're just workers on their behalf. So, let's just get good getting identification. Okay, there should be a purse on top of that on top of that desk. On the on the far end there's a purse. What color? Okay, it should be a green purse. Okay. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> [snorts] >> All right. I would you get good IDs on them? I'll call Anna now. Go ahead. Just if there is a New Jersey license, just pull it out. All right. >> Yes. >> Good afternoon. This is Detective Molina with South River Police Department. Is this Anna Amato? >> Yes. >> Hi. Hi Anna, we're in your business right now. Uh there's an invest there's an active investigation. We have a search warrant. Are you able to come in? >> Well, I'm not in. >> Okay, we need you to We need you to come in. Okay, how how far are you? >> I am in Old Bridge. I'm with my kid. He got flu. >> Okay, so I need you to come in and then where we can discuss this further here, okay? >> Oh my god. What time should I be there? >> Right now, okay? >> Can I meet you? >> No. >> go right now. >> You have to come right now, okay? There's a search warrant that's been issued by a judge, okay? And we need to come here and and and talk with you, all right? >> But [snorts] I cannot go now. I have >> Okay, I will tell Listen, I'm going to be very straight with you. We have charges against you, okay? So, we could do this we could do this the right way. You can come in, okay? Or there there is going to be a warrant issued for your arrest. So, this is not a joking matter. We need you to come in now, okay? I have two of your employees here. I have two of your employees here detained, okay? And in in order for us to to clear things up, we need to speak with you. >> My employees? I don't have any employees. >> Well, we're in your suite right now, okay? And I have two employees here who know you, okay? So, we need you to come in. >> I'll be there around 4:30. >> No, that doesn't work, ma'am. You you you come now, okay? Or I'll have Oldbridge go to your house and then place you under arrest. It's however you want this to work out. >> No, my my child here. Oh, how we going to Let me I'll call you right back. >> Okay, listen listen to me. I'm going to explain something to you, all right? I'm in here I'm in your business. I have two of your employees detained. I have charges for your arrest, okay? >> any employees. I don't understand. >> Let me finish. I can have Oldbridge go to your house, place you under arrest in front of your kid, or you can come here and we can speak. How do you want to handle this? >> I'm just going to look for somebody to be with my child. I don't know what's going on. I don't have employees. >> Come in and then we'll talk further. If not, I'm going to call you back in 5 minutes. If not, I'm going to send Oldbridge out to your house, you understand? >> Okay. >> Okay, I'll I will call you back. >> With the suspect on her way, officers dismiss the two other women and wait for her arrival. >> You can go this [snorts] way, okay? You want her back in there? >> second. >> One moment, okay? >> What happened here? >> Do you have your license on you? >> Just want to make sure. >> No, no, she's a >> She's in a >> Oh my god. >> Do you have your license with you? >> My driver's license? >> Yeah. >> That's not my >> I'm going to talk to her real quick and I'll bring her back. >> Okay, sure. No problem. >> Yes, no problem. >> You want to stay out here for now? >> Yep, just stay out there. >> Right this way, all the way in the back, please. I don't want you to fall or anything, okay? >> No, no, I'm just >> Did you finish up? >> I had a hair tie with a bobby pin on it. >> Okay. >> This is your pocket. >> And everything else was good? >> Everything's good on her. They didn't search us yet, so. >> Okay. Go ahead and take a seat right here, okay? All right, listen. My name is Detective Molina. I work at the South Bureau Police Department. Uh before we talk any further, I want to read you what Miranda rights out. Okay? We do have a search warrant, okay? And then there are charges. Therefore, I need to advise you what your rights are. I'm not here to violate your rights. I'm here to be very transparent with you, okay? I will help you with that in a minute, okay? I will help you with it in a minute. But, let me read this out loud to you, okay? And then you tell me yes or no whether you understand, okay? If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me, all right? Okay. So, these are your Miranda warnings, okay? Number one, you have the right to remain silent. Do you understand that? >> Yes, I do. >> [snorts] >> Number two, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. Do you understand that? >> I do. >> Okay. You have the right to talk to a lawyer and have him or her present with you while you are being questioned. Do you understand? >> I do. >> Okay. Because a victim came in and and said that he had come here and had done some dentistry procedure. Why don't you first tell me about that? What is your business here? >> Well, I work for them in in a lot of offices, Middlesex. >> Okay. >> Sometimes, yes, the people come here ask me for help. >> Okay. >> I do take x-rays, like you take impressions [snorts] sometimes. And I do send them, if they have insurance, to other places. There is other people who answers. Like, I'm really for them. I basically use here like to train the girls if I cannot make it. Which girls? I have like RDAs that I can, for instance, next >> So, so look >> Wait, wait, wait. Let No, no, before you finish, it's like next Monday I'm starting this office. And like if I don't if I cannot make it, somebody else goes. It's more It's more like people who refer me to other dentists. That's what I do. >> Refers. >> Yeah, if I cannot go, okay, do you know somebody? I come here and I train the way the doctor That's it. I do take x-rays and >> Let Let me tell you something. I've been investigating this for a couple months now, okay? And I've And I've spoke And I've spoken with many people already, okay? So, I want to give you the opportunity to be to be honest with me, okay? Because I I'm not here just out of nowhere. I didn't just randomly come to your business. I didn't just randomly get charges against you by a judge, okay? I did my investigation and I probable cause to issue these charges. So, let's start again, okay? I already spoke with one of your victims, okay? Who said that he came here and got a procedure started, right? That you gave him a local anesthetic and started getting worked on his tooth, okay? So, how So, how about you tell me what happened happened then? >> No, I cannot give an anesthetic, to [snorts] be honest. I don't have the license for that. >> You also don't have the license to operate where you're operating in the back. You don't have >> That's not part of the training. I do use everything there. I do. >> [music] >> And I told everybody at the where I was doing it. >> You have no patients that come back here to get dental work done? >> Usually, no. Unless they're dying, then they I swear to God. >> So, let's talk let's talk about that. >> If they come here dying, yes, I probably should like an anesthetic anesthetic mouth anesthetic injection, but a theory, probably yes. >> you mean? What do you mean anesthetic what? >> Uh it's not analgesic stuff. Usually, people keep here they call me to do like they want amoxicillin or something like that. I don't sell drugs. I don't know where it is. So, usually I don't give that information. >> Okay, absolutely. >> I have a spray. Yes, I do. I do. And I do have everything here if you see it. I won't say that that I >> Everything like what? Everything like what? What are you What are they going to find in the back? >> They're going to find needle needles. They're going to find anesthetic. They're going to find machines that give anesthetic because that's usually what I do. >> Okay. >> For instance, >> know it's I know it's what you do. I know that you do dental work here. I know that you do I know that you Listen listen to me. I know that you I've seen advertisements that you do. >> I do. >> So, listen. I know you do tooth extractions. I know you do tooth >> no. Extractions, no. >> tooth cleanings and root canals. >> No, I I I have to refer all of it because I don't. Extractions, I was training a another girl. >> Let me ask you something. >> I don't work >> Hold on a second. Let me ask you something. Has an extraction Has an extraction been done in that back room? >> Yes, that is. >> Okay. >> Correct. Not done by me, but yes. >> By who? I'm not I'm not trying to put all this on you. I know that you have someone else that works with you. Okay. Okay, but right now I have Listen listen listen to me. Let me Let me explain something to you. Right now I have you. This is falling all on you right now. >> And I assume and I pay if I have to. >> You going to have to because there's already charges approved and they're searching your room right now. Look at me and they're going to find more things back there. Now, I'm willing to work with you if you can give me information as to where you get these anesthetics, where you get the anesthesia [clears throat] without having a license to do so. How do you get it? >> Oh, on eBay. >> Okay. >> That's it, but there is a lady >> Is it a lady that you get it from? >> No, on eBay basically and most of it's donation that don't I don't really use like you said extraction. I'm being very honest with you. Yes, it's being done. >> It's being done. Look, I I appreciate your honesty. >> No by me, but yes, yes. >> Okay. >> Being very honest with you. Other than that, no because I'm totally against and I really >> think you're >> tell them to go. >> Listen to me. I don't think you're totally against it and I'll tell you why I think that. >> I mean I do. >> Let me Let me explain something to you. I'll tell you why. This is a very lucrative business you have here. I I I give you much credit for what you're doing. I actually think this is is This is This is outstanding, right? You're charging 750 a month for this room. You're That's money right there. You're making good money. >> Oh. >> How much do you charge for the back for the lady that does the extractions or do you own it or do you run What do you do back there? >> No. The lady who did the extraction, she doesn't work here. No. >> When was the last time she was here? >> She was here during this summer. >> Last summer? >> She doesn't attend here. She goes to a salon. >> Now, let me ask you a question. The lady that did the extraction was here last summer. Okay. Why are they still going to find needles and anesthesia in the back? >> Because the other one came here last >> So, now there's another lady? >> No, no, no, but she didn't She didn't do extraction. >> What did she do? >> She was here doing a cleaning for a boy. For free? For free and a For free, I think. No, the mother gave $50 to her. >> Okay. How do they pay? >> They She >> How do your patients pay you? >> Usually cash if a cleaning. But honestly, you are totally right. It's a very look at lucrative business. >> [clears throat] >> Could be very. And I'm being very honest with you. When I opened this here, was definitely not to see anybody. And I I'm very honest with you. And I could make this like an illegal clinic. Yes. I leave everybody It's Everybody near here knows what I do. Yes, you're right. I do cleaning. Yes. I try to keep I take x-rays. Yes. Being very Extract tooth? No, I'm not allowed. >> But I know you're not I know you're not allowed, but it's been done here. >> Correct. >> I know it's been done here. >> It is. >> I know root canals have been done here or at least at least initiated. >> But at the the that means not the root canal, but that means if the patient do the root canal, I will do this temporary filling. That is correct. >> Look, I appreciate your honesty. >> But I want to tell you everything because if I have to pay for something, let's do it. >> Oh, listen, that's not how it works. Right now, you're charged with unlawful dentistry. Okay. You're charged with second degree aggravated assault. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> What is that? >> Aggravated assault, I can it's you cause seriously bodily injury to a victim. Well, I have a victim. And then >> The person got hurt from me? >> I had an injection done on his gum and then drilling in his tooth. Don't tell me Don't look at me like you're surprised, cuz you told you just finished telling me that that work does get done here. >> No, no, no. Probably Probably to do the temporary filling. That is correct. No lie. That is correct. >> Okay, let's talk about that process. To do a temporary filling, do you or do you not inject someone's gum? >> No. >> What do you do? >> It's a spray. >> Okay. >> It's in there. >> Then what do you do next? >> Well, and then I have to clean >> I think we're done. >> something like that. And then I place a temporary filling on the way they're going to be squished. >> Now, exactly. Now, about the tooth, what do you do with the tooth to put that filling in? Do you not have to drill? >> Sometimes no, sometimes sometimes yes. >> so listen to me. It's been done. >> Okay. >> Okay, so so what I want to agree on is that that work has been done in this office. >> That's true. >> Okay, that's all I'm saying. I'm not saying that every person does it. I'm just saying that it has been done here. >> Yes. >> Okay. And I happen to speak with one of those big firms, and then that's why I'm here. >> All right. But injection no, spray yes. >> Well, but there is needles in the back. >> It was not me. But yes, yes. >> Well, if you if you >> Okay. >> Look. >> Just the more honest you are with me, the better that we can continue our relationship, okay? >> this. >> Okay, because I'm not so only concerned about you paying me. That's not how this works. I'm not here to free your money. I am here to find out What I would like to know, let me ask you something. What I would like to know is where you get this medical equipment. >> Only eBay. Equipment. >> What about What about the chair? What about >> No, that was a donation because the doctors gave me >> Which doctors gave it to >> Oh, this was Dr. Grooman who gave me the chair, and I recovered the chair here. Everything else I did it by my hand. I did my hand. >> What about the anesthesia then? >> The anesthesia on eBay and this other doctor >> That's what I >> who gave me the link if you that's what you want to know. >> Okay. So you can buy anesthesia on eBay? >> Yes. You want to know the link? This is really hurting me, Mr. Molina. Dr. Simon Molina. >> Okay. >> Just make a little like cuz I'm not going anywhere. He's really hurting me. >> Okay. >> Please. >> You said that people had given you expired medication. >> No, medication, no. They took toothbrush, toothpaste. >> Toothbrushes don't expire. >> Toothpaste, I'm sorry. Toothbrush I buy >> Talk to me about the expired medication. >> No, no medication. >> What about lidocaine? >> No medication. Lidocaine I buy online and I >> What is this expired stuff that the doctors have been giving you? >> Toothbrush, toothpaste, I'm sorry. >> Toothpaste? Come on, you expect me to believe that? Toothpaste when you can go buy toothpaste for a dollar or something that you're taking expired toothpaste? Tell me about the Tell me >> the amount of it and and and he told me yesterday. >> Let me tell you one more thing. I'm going to seize Listen to me. I'm seizing your phones. I got computers in the back. I'm going to find out where this stuff is coming from. If you tell me the truth now, we can work together. But if everything you're telling me right now is a lie, that's another problem you're going to have. >> If everything I'm telling you right now is a lie, I want you to take me arrested for the rest of my life. >> I don't want to do that. I I want I want I want to >> I'll be honored because [clears throat] you're going to be doing our job. So, let's be very honest here. >> Look. >> There is nothing that people give me. >> Let's talk about something, Ms. Amato. The You you you mentioned that most of the payment is done in cash. >> Correct. >> All right. Where's Where Do you have a safe here? Is there Is there cash here? >> No, that's not a lot of people in weight. It's not that I'm here every >> Do people Zelle you? >> Some They're on my I have a bank account. I can show you, but not really. >> Well, I I I know I know >> Some people Zelle me. Yes, they do some They do some cash. >> Yes, Zelle me. I know. Because my victim's Zelle me. So, I know people Zelle you. I appreciate that. What we're going to do right now is we're going to bring you inside. You're going to get processed on the three charges that I went over initially with you, okay? >> Where are we going to go? >> You're going to go to the police department. You're going to get fingerprinted. And I'm going to read you the charges once you get released to the county. >> Can I just take this off? >> No, cuz you're going inside. After being processed, I'm taking you to the county jail. Okay? You're going to the county jail. And you're going to see a judge there. And there's possibly going to be more charges from what I'm seeing in the back, which I know there's going to be more charges. So, if you change your mind about talking to me about where you're getting all this stuff, I'm more than happy to I don't believe all that nonsense, all right? I think that if you want to help yourself, we can talk later. I'm going to give you my information before you leave, and I will be more than happy to continue. All right, listen. I'm interested in finding out where you're getting all this medication. I don't believe that it's all on eBay. I believe that there's some expired stuff there that dentists and doctors are giving you, and that's what I want to know. If you change your mind, we'll talk. >> Is the okay for the nail lady? >> No, that's not okay, either. She's probably got charges, too. All right, follow the officer right there. >> But I can't go by myself, cuz I don't need to leave my son. >> I'm sorry. No. No, you're going just like that to the car and to the police station, okay? You're under arrest right now, so you can go ahead. Just go ahead and take it. All right. I'm sorry. Right down the stairs. >> The suspect was charged with aggravated assault, accepting payment for unlawful activities, and unlawful practice of dentistry. She currently awaits trial. If you enjoyed this video, leave a like, and be sure to subscribe for more body cam footage daily.

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