A Winter Haven woman has been arrested a second time for practicing medicine without a license.
On Valentine’s Day, deputies with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office took 39-year-old Jesusadelaida “Jesse” Lopez back into custody after receiving information she was practicing health care without a license.
Detectives say Lopez was operating out of Jesse’s Gym, located at 1141 U.S. Highway 92 in Auburndale.
According to an arrest affidavit, On Feb. 7, an investigator with the Florida Department of Health, Medical Quality Assurance made an appointment for a weight loss consultation at Jesse’s Gym after complaints were made to the Department of Health that unlicensed health care activity was occurring
there.
During her consultation, Lopez allegedly offered the investigator HCG shots, which is prescription hormone human chorionic gonadotropin that is used in some fad diets to allegedly lose weight. She also offered the investigator B-Complex Shots and “Lipo” Shots, which Lopez marketed as a part of a weight loss program. The detective then scheduled a day to come back along with a friend.
On Feb. 12, a PCSO undercover detective and the DOH Investigator went to Jesse’s Gym, met with Lopez, and Lopez and another employee allegedly offered them weight loss supplies, which included a Bariatric Advantage high protein meal replacement powder, five sealed plastic baggies of syringes and a vial of prescription HCG. The DOH investigator paid $300.00 for the supplies and consultation.
On Feb. 14, a state probation officer conducted a probation compliance check at Lopez’s residence. Lopez was advised not to contact anyone during the visit, but detectives say Lopez used her Apple Watch to tell an employee at the gym to remove incriminating evidence at the business.
Also located in Lopez’ car at the residence were needles and a vial of prescription “lipo” medicine
in her vehicle, both of which violated her felony probation terms. Lopez was arrested and taken to the county jail.
Sheriff Grady Judd wants Lopez to stay locked up.
“We’re gonna drop her like she’s hotter, in the state prison, because [she] just doesn’t get it,” he said.
As probation officers were at Lopez’s house, her fiance and part-owner of the gym, 51-year-old, Edward Forgue of Winter Haven, arrived at the business. Detectives say he started removing items from inside and transporting them to his truck. He had been alerted by Lopez’s cousin that a state probation officer was at her residence conducting a search. Detectives arrested Forgue. He is charged with one count of Tampering with Physical Evidence.
Lopez was charged with the following:
- Selling, Dispersing Drugs Without a Prescription
- Dispersing Drug Prescription Without a License
- Unlicensed Practice Health Care Profession
- Tampering with Physical Evidence
- Unlawful use of a 2-Way Communication Device
- Violation of Probation/Community Control-Adult
Lopez was previously arrested June 12, 2018 for 6 counts of unlicensed practice of health care at “Drop It Likes It’s Hot” weight loss clinic at 6356 Cypress Gardens Boulevard. Detectives say she was portraying herself as a nurse.
“We’re thankful in getting information that Ms. Lopez was operating illegally as a fake medical practitioner once again. She put more lives in danger with no medical experience. She was given a chance and a break last time, probation with an opportunity to rehabilitate. She didn’t seize that opportunity and now she is back in jail,” said Sheriff Judd.
Judd also said he worries about the people who visited the place becasue of the way they found some of the medicine.
“Some of this medicine is supposed to be refrigerated. We found some of it was not refrigerated. We found some of the vials in a mason jar. Did ya hear me? In a mason jar in the car.”