A Miami cosmetic doctor was rearrested after a second woman accused him of sexual assault at his West Brickell clinic.
Miami Herald File
A Miami cosmetic physician is back behind bars after another woman came forward alleging she was sexually assaulted following a visit to his clinic, according to court records.
Ronald Demeo, 63, was jailed last week after a woman reported that she was assaulted while under sedation at his clinic, located at 2801 SW Third Ave. in Miami’s West Brickell neighborhood. He was charged with sexual battery on a physically helpless victim, later posted bond, and was placed under house arrest.
However, Demeo was rearrested Tuesday and charged with sexual assault after a second woman contacted authorities, stating she decided to come forward after seeing news coverage of his initial arrest.
READ MORE: Brickell doctor sexually assaulted sedated patient and there is video, cops say
According to a recent arrest affidavit, the 39-year-old woman said her last encounter with Demeo was the day of the alleged assault in September 2023. She had previously visited his clinic before that incident.
The woman told police she had taken her mother to the clinic for a cosmetic procedure and decided to receive Botox injections herself. During the visit, she inquired about tattoo removal, and Demeo suggested performing the procedure that same day. She agreed.
According to the arrest affidavit, as the woman was leaving the clinic with her mother, Demeo told her to take an ice pack for her face. She left her mother in the lobby and followed him into a room.
Once inside, investigators say Demeo closed the door, handed her an ice pack, exposed himself, and asked her to “kiss it.”
The woman told detectives she froze in shock, repeatedly said “no,” and mentioned that her mother was waiting outside. She said she then noticed several needles in the room and became fearful that Demeo could harm her and claim she was experiencing a medical emergency.
She told police she complied with his demands out of fear. According to the arrest affidavit, she asked to leave and Demeo then grabbed her, pulled down her pants, and sexually assaulted her.
After the assault, the woman said she left the clinic without telling her mother. The following day, she told a clinic employee about the attack. According to police, the employee urged her to report it, but she declined, saying she believed Demeo would eventually be held accountable.
Ronald Demeo Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation
Detectives later contacted the employee, who corroborated the woman’s account. The employee said that on the day of the incident, Demeo had asked her to retrieve an ice pack.
The employee also told investigators that the woman had described being in shock, pushing Demeo away, and repeatedly saying “no,” but that the assault still occurred. She said she had considered reporting the incident herself but ultimately respected the woman’s wishes.
According to the affidavit, the employee stated that it was common for staff to leave while Demeo remained alone with clients. She also told police she once saw a condom in a procedure room and that other staff members did not appear surprised when she mentioned it. Additionally, she said several clients had described Demeo as overly “touchy.”
The employee further explained that patients were sometimes left alone with Demeo after payment was collected or deemed unnecessary. She also told investigators that patients were allowed to self-administer medications, such as Xanax or ibuprofen, and that wine was occasionally offered at Demeo’s request before or after procedures.
Demeo operates two clinics: Meridian Spine and Meridian Cosmetics on the third floor of a medical-office building at 2801 SW Third Ave. According to his website, Meridian Spine focuses on treating chronic pain and spinal conditions, while Meridian Cosmetic offers aesthetic and anti-aging procedures.
According to the Florida Department of Health, Demeo has been a licensed medical doctor since 1989 and graduated with a medical degree from the University of South Florida that same year.
Florida Department of Health records show that the State Surgeon General ordered an emergency suspension of Demeo’s license to practice medicine in Florida after his first arrest.
Jail records show that Demeo remains locked up at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center as of Wednesday.
Miami Herald
Milena Malaver covers crime and breaking news for the Miami Herald. She was born and raised in Miami-Dade and is a graduate of Florida International University. She joined the Herald shortly after graduating.