ANA BERTHA DIAZ HERNANDEZ, a 47-year-old woman from Monterey Park, California, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for injecting a foreign, unapproved substance into women seeking buttocks enhancement. The sentence, handed down Monday by U.S. District Judge Philip S. Gutierrez, marks the end of a gruesome chapter that left victims with life-altering injuries and exposed a black-market cosmetic racket operating in Southern California.
Diaz pleaded guilty in July to receiving and delivering an adulterated and misbranded medical device. According to court documents, one victim, identified as I.T., sought treatment from Diaz to enhance her figure, paying thousands of dollars over a series of sessions. Diaz claimed she was injecting a “natural product,” at times telling the victim it was “lamb’s fat.” In reality, the substance was smuggled illegally from Mexico and had no approval for use in the United States for cosmetic procedures.
The injections went horribly wrong. The substance migrated from I.T.’s buttocks into her back, hips, and legs, causing excruciating pain, infections, and severe medical complications. She was hospitalized for over three weeks and underwent major surgery to remove the foreign material. Skin grafts followed. Doctors in Colombia, where she sought specialized care, confirmed the damage was irreversible in parts. I.T. told the court she trusted Diaz, who assured her the product was safe and wouldn’t move.
Diaz never disclosed she was unlicensed to perform medical procedures in the United States, nor that the substance she injected was smuggled and unapproved. She continued administering the injections to at least 10 customers despite mounting complaints of pain and injury. Her scheme netted her at least $40,000 in illicit profits—all while putting lives at risk. The FDA warns such unregulated injections can lead to embolism, organ failure, or death.
The investigation was led by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations and the California Medical Board. Prosecutors built a damning case showing Diaz knowingly misrepresented both the product and her qualifications. At sentencing, Judge Gutierrez ordered her to pay a $95,000 fine and $30,000 in restitution to the victim, underscoring the severity of her crimes.
Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph O. Johns, Chief of the Environmental and Community Safety Crimes Section, and Amanda M. Bettinelli prosecuted the case. Authorities warn consumers to verify credentials and product safety before undergoing any cosmetic procedure. Diaz’s prison term sends a message: profiting from human vanity with illegal, dangerous procedures will be met with federal time.
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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