NASSAU, BAHAMAS- Santini Kerr-Wilson, a 27-year-old Jamaican of Bonham Spring Ocho Rios, Jamaica, shed tears on Thursday when she stood before magistrate Samuel McKinney, charged on 10 counts of fraud while posing as an orthodontist.
The mother of two and the owner of “Italian Braces”, posted an ad in February which stated that she specialized in providing cosmetic braces as well as teeth whitening services and fillings, using the alias, “Nicole Wilson”.
Following the publication of the ad, Bahamas Dental Council president, Dr. Sparkman Ferguson was notified and he contacted the police immediately.
Police received information of where Wilson was operating and she was confronted at the Comfort Suites Hotel.
After searching the room, officers found documents which stated that her real name is Santini Kerr-Wilson, as well as a number of dental tools and some $7,000 in cash.
It was also discovered by officers and Dr. Ferguson that the defendant was authorized to sell products from the Italian Braces line, but not to perform dental procedures.
Following this, Wilson revealed documents and receipts of five clients that she had performed dental work on and received cash payments of $510.00 between February 26 and March 1, 2019.
Wilson was charged yesterday on five counts of fraud by false pretenses, one count of illegally using the title of Orthodontist, one count of falsely advertising as a dentist, one count of practicing as a dentist, one count of acquisition of the proceeds of criminal conduct in the amount of $7,196; between February 26 to March 1, 2019 and one count of possessing $7,196 on March 4, the proceeds of criminal conduct.
Wilson pleaded guilty to all ten charges and was required to pay a total of $9,050 and $2,550 to be split between the five clients and the remainder to the court or a total of four years at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.
Wilson will remain in custody until she pays the total fine amount.
