Spa Owner Indicted on Federal Charges
| U.S. Attorney’s Office March 19, 2014 |
MCALLEN, TX—A McAllen federal grand jury has arrested Elva Navarro, 37, of Hidalgo, for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) violations in relation to the injection of unapproved substances, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson.
The indictment was returned under seal yesterday and unsealed just moments ago following her arrest. She is expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dorina Ramos tomorrow morning.
Specifically, Navarro is charged with receiving an adulterated device and misbranding a device.
The indictment alleges Navarro would administer injections of liquid silicone into individuals who would frequent her facility, Bella Face and Body Spa in McAllen. These injections were not approved by the FDA. According to the allegations, Navarro also falsely represented to her customers to whom she administered the liquid silicone injections that they were safe when, in fact, they were not.
If convicted of the federal charges, she faces up to three years in prison and a possible $10,000 fine.
The FBI, FDA-Office of Criminal Investigations, FDA-Forensic Chemistry Center, and the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Ann Leo is prosecuting.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.