ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla (CBS12) — Adley Dasilva, 53, a former Port St. Lucie medical spa owner convicted of illegally performing cosmetic surgeries was sentenced to 45 years in prison Friday in St. Lucie County court.
The sentence was 15 years more than prosecutors were seeking.
Before announcing the 45 year sentence, Circuit Court Judge Robert Meadows made a few brief remarks. “The victims did not sign up for what they got. They were not initiators of getting the treatment that they got,” Judge Meadows said.
He referred to the defendant’s actions, saying, “This was not a mistake, it was a choice.”
The defense had asked for a sentence in the range of 20 years; the state had asked for 30.
The defense attorney told Judge Meadows Dasilva has no prior criminal record, has only had three traffic tickets in his entire life and he can be rehabilitated. He said Dasilva has had “an impeccable life” and can still be a productive and useful member of society and comes from a devout Christian family. He said Dasilva acknowledges his wrongdoing.
One of the victims testified before the sentencing.
“This whole thing has been an absolute nightmare,” said Jacklyn Sterling, a former patient at Cosmetica Plastic Surgery and Anti-aging. She told the judge she trusted Dasilva and the staff there. She says that trust has left her living with the consequences of a botched procedure.
“One of the things that really hurts me is that I really truly trusted him. I actually thought that they were taking good care of me,” she said in court Friday.
“Mr. Dasilva knowingly and willingly put so many lives at risk on a daily basis and for what? Money? To stroke his own ego? The sheer lack of regard Mr. Dasilva had for human life is absolutely sickening. And I know now that the only person Mr. Dasilva cares about is himself,” Sterling told the judge.
Dasilva was found guilty last month of 11 felonies tied to procedures performed at Cosmetica Plastic Surgery and Anti-Aging, a now-defunct business he owned on Southeast Port St. Lucie Boulevard.
A jury convicted Dasilva of four counts of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, four counts of practicing medicine without a license, felony theft, organized fraud and racketeering.
Prosecutors said DaSilva, a licensed physician assistant, performed surgical procedures he was not licensed to carry out as a surgeon. Investigators said patients underwent cosmetic procedures including liposuction, Brazilian butt lifts, tummy tucks and breast augmentations, with some later reporting severe infections and other medical complications.
The case stems from a state and police investigation into Cosmetica, which authorities said began after concerns were raised about procedures being performed without a properly licensed physician present. The Florida Department of Health suspended the office’s registration in 2022, and the business was later shut down.
See also: ‘Elf,’ ‘Couples Retreat’ actor jailed with no bond after Florida arrest
(From left) Adley Dasilva, Diane Millan, Fermal Simpson, and Kiomy Quintiana. (Source: MCSO, PBSO, SLCSO)
In previous coverage, Port St. Lucie police said the business initially operated with a doctor, but investigators alleged staff later took over procedures without the required licensing or authorization. Police said some patients paid thousands of dollars for procedures.
“I’m still five years later trying to wrap my head around the fact that this really happened and wasn’t a dream. Then as soon as I look in a mirror I’m instantly reminded of the torment and the trauma that I went through. Whatever excuse that he has really means nothing to me and the others who have been hurt by his actions. I don’t feel bad for him because his own greed and arrogance and total disregard for others is what got him here. There is no one to blame but himself,” Sterling said during the hearing Friday.
Dasilva was one of several people arrested in connection with the investigation. His wife, Kiomy Quintiana, was also charged, along with Dianne Millan and Fermal Simpson. .
During the investigation, authorities said four patients came forward after suffering serious health issues following procedures at Cosmetica. Police previously described one victim as having a significant amount of skin missing from her abdomen after complications.
Dasilva’s defense has previously maintained that he worked under the supervision of licensed physicians and did not pose as a doctor.
“I’m happy with the sentence. These patients went into this clinic believing they were dealing with a doctor and they allowed themselves to be be operated on in the most vulnerable of ways and they live with the scars of that for the rest of their life,” said Justin Miller, Assistant State Attorney after Dasilva was sentenced to 45 years in prison Friday.
“Obviously I was very disappointed but I have a tremendous respect for the judicial system,” said Il Young Choi, defense attorney for Adley Dasilva. He said the defense will appeal.
The maximum sentence Dasilva could’ve received was 125 years in prison. Two co-conspirators, including Dasilva’s wife, have not yet gone to trial.
“How many more lives would be ruined had they not been caught? I ask for the harshest punishment, not because I’m spiteful or vengeful for the damage and hurt that these people caused. I ask because I don’t think that Mr. Dasilva is truly sorry at all. I believe he’s only sorry that he got caught and if given the opportunity I think he would do it again,” Sterling told the judge in court Friday.