San Diego Police announced Thursday a dental assistant was in custody, accused of sexually touching a juvenile while the patient was under sedation for a dental procedure.
Police say a female reported she had been inappropriately touched on Jan. 21 while undergoing a procedure at the Park Boulevard Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Office at 4067 Park Boulevard.
"The victim is doing the very best that she can," said SDPD Cpt. Brian Ahern. "She is certainly brave and courageous, but I think she is traumatized."
SDPD launched an investigation and on Wednesday, Luis Ramos, 36, of El Cajon, was arrested and booked on two counts of sexual battery on a medically incapacitated person and two counts of oral copulation by means of anesthetic.
Ramos worked as a dental assistant at the office where he was arrested. He was being held on $2 million bail, according to his booking information. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney.
Officers said there was one juvenile victim but did not release the victim's age or identity. Investigators are not sure if there are other victims, Lt. Scott Wahl told NBC 7. Anyone with information can call the SDPD Sex Crimes unit at (619) 531-2210.
Wahl said the dental business was cooperative in the investigation.
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Patient Maricla Juarez told NBC 7 she has visited the office twice in the last five years. During her second visit, Ramos was in the room with her when she had an anesthetic.
"The doctor is wonderful. I had no idea about the assistant," she said. "But that makes me wonder if something happened to me while I was put under. You never know."
One of Ramos' neighbors, who would only identify himself as "Rosely," described the suspect as a very nice guy.
"He's a cool man," he said. "Whenever I don't have food, he gives me food. Every time I go to hang out there, he asks me, 'You want water?'"
Ramos' dental assistant license was issued two years ago and indicates he is in good standing with the state board.
