For Immediate Release:
October 5, 2022
Contact: Jerri Mares – (505) 321-4372
ALBUQUERQUE — Today, New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas announced that Maria de Lourdes Ramos de Ruiz, a former Albuquerque spa owner who conducted dangerous, unlicensed medical procedures on members of the general public, was sentenced to three-and-one-half years in prison on five felony counts of practicing medicine without a license, to be followed by four years probation and 800 hours of community service. Ramos de Ruiz was indicted by a Bernalillo County grand jury in April 2021 for performing ‘vampire facials’ and other unlicensed medical procedures on at least two individuals who later contracted HIV.
“We will remain committed to the victims in this tragedy and will continue to fight for the necessary reforms and regulations that are crucial to protect New Mexican citizens,” said Attorney General Balderas.
In addition to performing vampire facials, Ramos de Ruiz performed illegal plasma and Botox-injection procedures. An inspection by the Department of Health and the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department revealed numerous health-code violations, including unsafe infection-control practices, unwrapped needles, improper blood disposal, and unlabeled syringes next to food in a refrigerator. The New Mexico Medical Board then referred this case to the Office of the Attorney General for investigation and prosecution.
This case was investigated by New Mexico Office of the Attorney General Special Agent Gregory Buhl, and prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Zach Jones and Jesse Pecoraro.
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