Phoenix, Arizona - Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced a judge issued an arrest warrant for 54-year-old Elda Graciela Margez De Zamora. Margez De Zamora failed to appear at an initial pretrial conference and is believed to be on the run. A State Grand Jury indicted Margez De Zamora for allegedly operating an unlicensed dental practice. She is currently facing 2 felony counts including Fraudulent Schemes and Practices and Practicing Dentistry Without a License.
On May 16, 2016, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office launched an investigation after receiving a case referral from the Phoenix Police Department regarding an unlicensed dental and orthodontic office being operated by an unlicensed dentist. The makeshift dental office was allegedly located inside of a Phoenix apartment and run by a tenant who went by the nickname “Mama Elda.” Special Agents with the Attorney General’s Office later identified “Mama Elda” as Elda Graciela Margez De Zamora.
An undercover AZAG Special Agent set up an appointment and observed Margez De Zamora allegedly treating patients prior to his scheduled appointment. The waiting area was set up in the apartment living room arranged in a manner similar to a lobby or waiting room at a doctor's office with chairs and magazines. The AZAG Special Agent also saw dental instruments, dental trays, and a bed that appeared to be set up as a dental chair. Additionally, adjacent to the bed was what appeared to be dental instruments used by dentists, dental hygienists, and orthodontists such as an air/water syringe, saliva ejector, and a high water evacuator. Margez De Zamora reportedly resides in Mexico and would allegedly drive to Phoenix to perform dental services for cash.
Margez De Zamora posted a $20,000 cash bond and failed to appear at an initial pretrial conference in July.
Assistant Attorney General Andy Kvesic is prosecuting this case. Special Agents with the Attorney General's Office Special Investigations Section Major Fraud Unit investigated this case.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
