Pharr Woman Pleads Guilty in Liquid Silicone Injection Case

McALLEN, Texas – Maribel Quintero, 39, has entered a guilty plea to violating the U.S. Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson.

Quintero, of Pharr, admitted administering injections of liquid silicone into individuals who wanted to enhance the structure of their buttocks. These injections were not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Quintero also falsely represented to customers to whom she administered the liquid silicone that they were safe when, in fact, they were not.

On Sept. 9, 2014, she possessed an adulterated device - liquid silicone - and was about to use it on a male customer. She admitted that she intended to mislead him by not disclosing that she had knowledge of previous complications due to the use of the liquid silicone.

U.S. District Judge Randy Crane accepted the plea and has set sentencing for Aug. 10, 2015. At that time, she faces up to three years in prison and a possible $250,000 fine.

The investigation into this case began in August 2014 after law enforcement received information that Quintero was involved with providing liquid silicone to women to effect the structure and function of their bodies.

The charges are the result of an investigation by the FDA - Office of Criminal Investigations, FDA - Forensic Chemistry Center, Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly Ann Leo and Alex Benavides are prosecuting the case.