ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A former owner offering so-called vampire facials has taken a plea deal. Maria Ramos De Ruiz pleaded guilty to five counts of practicing medicine without a license. She ran VIP Spa in 2018 with at least two patients who received the treatment were diagnosed with HIV.
Previous Coverage:
- ‘Vampire Facials’ spa owner linked to HIV cases faces 24 charges
- DOH urges clients of VIP Spa get tested after 2 confirmed cases of HIV
- Health officials warn some Albuquerque spa clients to get HIV tests
Vampire facials draw a patient’s blood, then components of the blood are injected into the face using microneedles. As part of the plea agreement, she faces up to seven and a half years in prison and will pay restitution to the patients. Other charges like money laundering and tax evasion were dropped.