A Guatemalan national with an ICE detainer faces charges of practicing dentistry without a license and aggravated assault. Cesar Augusto Perez Mejia, also known as Willie Hernandez, is accused of breaking a woman’s teeth and jaw with pliers in his apartment.
According to court documents, Perez Mejia was given the option to notify the Guatemalan consulate of his arrest.
A spokesperson for the Houston Police Department confirmed to Texas Scorecard that Perez Mejia is currently detained in the Harris County Jail awaiting his next court appearance. However, they could not comment on Perez Mejia’s immigration status and referred related questions to Homeland Security, saying the police department “doesn’t deal with that sort of issue.”
According to reports, the victim sought dental surgery from Perez Mejia, who used pliers to extract a tooth. The procedure resulted in the tooth breaking and injury to her jaw.
Authorities continue to gather evidence to determine the extent of Perez Mejia’s activities and are investigating whether he treated others. They have asked anyone with information to get in touch with the Houston Police Department.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement placed Perez Mejia on an immigration hold after a separate arrest in February when police accused him of brandishing a screwdriver and threatening a woman.
“I was sitting down, and he came out with a screwdriver and was assaulting me. We had to call the cops and when the cops came, he was still on a rampage,” the victim told KPRC 2.
ICE confirmed its involvement and the immigration hold, but has not released additional statements specific to this case.
An ICE detainer, also known as an “immigration hold,” is a written request to a state or local law enforcement agency asking to be notified when an individual will be released from custody. It also asks the agency to detain the individual for up to 48 hours beyond their scheduled release date to allow ICE time to take them into federal custody for removal proceedings.
The agency has not responded to a request for information about Perez Mejia’s immigration status.
No ads. No paywalls. No government grants. No corporate masters.
Just real news for real Texans.
Support Texas Scorecard to keep it that way!
