The lead defendant in an illegal dentistry, human smuggling and identity theft case in Lyon County will return to court in early July.
Iris Sandoval-Flores was originally set for a preliminary hearing Thursday, but that was continued at prosecutor request. Both prosecutors and defense attorneys had schedule conflicts, so the hearing was pushed to July 1.
Sandoval-Flores has single counts of unlicensed practice of dentistry or dental hygiene, human smuggling, identity theft and dealing in false documents. She is among eight defendants accused as part of a lengthy investigation initially connected to a marijuana possession search warrant in late April, although authorities allege illegal activity as far back as January 2024. As part of a redacted affidavit, Emporia Police investigators say they talked with somebody who accused Sandoval-Flores of selling the person false documents at a cost of around $800 for the purpose of working in the United States. The investigation also led to word of an unlicensed dentist operating out of Sandoval-Flores’ house — as well as the person paying $160 for a filling and dental cleaning. Following a search warrant, which included the presence of dentistry equipment and furniture, officers say they found three fake identification cards, a Social Security card and two small notebooks containing Social Security numbers, names, addresses, birthdays, phone numbers and email addresses.
An additional search warrant led to the alleged discovery of co-defendant Rigoberto Sandoval as the dentist in the case.
Rigoberto Sandoval is currently charged with unlicensed practice of dentistry or dental hygiene and unlawful obtaining of a prescription drug. He set to appear in court for a pretrial hearing Monday. Other defendants:
*Edward Joharly Benavides-Salgado, charged with identity theft.
*Hugo Antonio Cardona-Argueta, charged with possession of marijuana, interference with law enforcement, making false information and identity theft. He has a preliminary hearing June 10
*Ana Raquel Figueroa, charged with unlicensed practice of dentistry or dental hygiene and with unlawful obtaining of a prescription-only drug. Her pretrial hearing is Monday.
*Martha Kenia Lopez-Alvarado, charged with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, making false information and identity theft. Her preliminary hearing is June 10.
*Francisco German Pichardo-Machado, charged with making false information, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. His preliminary hearing is June 10
*Martin Pichardo-Machado, charged with making false information, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. His preliminary hearing is June 10.
