A Long Beach massage therapist who performed an illegal buttocks-enhancement procedure on a woman who later died pleaded no contest Monday to involuntary manslaughter.
Sandra Yaneth Perez-Gonzalez, 48, was immediately sentenced to three years behind bars, according to Deputy District Attorney Lee Cernok, who said a murder charge was dismissed as a result of her plea.
Perez-Gonzalez was charged earlier this year with the Feb. 12, 2014, death of Hamilet Suarez, 36, of Long Beach, who underwent the buttocks-enhancing procedure at a Long Beach beauty salon.
Perez-Gonzalez -- who is not a licensed doctor -- advertised a variety of cosmetic procedures, including buttocks enhancement, lip enhancements and "vampire facelifts," according to the District Attorney's Office. She had previously performed a similar procedure on one of the victim's family members, Cernok said.
The cause of Suarez's death could not be determined after an autopsy and toxicological testing, but she was reportedly healthy and circumstances suggested that her sudden death was "related to the injections because of the close temporal relationship," according to an excerpt from the coroner's report that was provided by the prosecutor.
Perez-Gonzalez, who is also known as Sandra Yaneth Slaughter, has remained behind bars since being arrested in February by Long Beach police.
