Siloam Springs police search for man accused in botched dentistry

Lopez-Portillo
Lopez-Portillo

SILOAM SPRINGS -- A man suspected of fraudulent dentistry who preyed on Latino families is being sought by police.

Siloam Springs police are searching for Jesus Enrique Lopez-Portillo of Illinois, who is accused of practicing dentistry without a license and felony second-degree battery.

A person filed a complaint with Siloam Springs police in September. Since then, another person went to police. Both said they were injured when Lopez-Portillo treated them. In one case, bits of tooth were left in the gums after he did a tooth extraction.

Lopez-Portillo met his patients at a Mexican restaurant in Springdale prior to providing care, police said.

Police said Lopez-Portillo is targeting Latino families in Siloam Springs, but he could be practicing elsewhere in the region. The victims said he claimed to be a missionary dentist who performs dental work with his own tools, at a discounted rate, in the person's home, police said. It's unclear whether the tools he uses are sterilized.

Both victims had to seek legitimate dental care to correct the damages and injuries they suffered, police said.

Police obtained an arrest warrant for Lopez-Portillo on Monday, but because they are unsure of his whereabouts, they asked for help finding him.

He could be traveling with a woman named Gudelia Betancourt, whom he practices with, police said. She drives a silver 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe with Oklahoma license plate 140 JOW.

There isn't a warrant for Betancourt, police said.

Siloam Springs Police Sgt. Todd Brakeville said there could be more victims who haven't reported the crimes to police.

"Lopez-Portillo is dangerous and we need help from the community to find him," Brakeville said.

Anyone who has information about Lopez-Portillo or Betancourt should contact Siloam Springs Police at 479-524-4118, ext. 2215.

NW News on 03/04/2015

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