Polk Gym Owner Accused Of Practicing Medicine Without License

AUBURNDALE, FL -- A 39-year-old Polk County gym owner has been charged with practicing medicine without a license and other offenses following a police sting operation in which undercover investigators were taught how to give themselves injections of a a hormone used for weight loss. Jesusadelaida "Jesse" Lopez, who owns Jesse's Gym was already on probation for similar charges, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

"We went in, in an undercover capacity where she offered to write prescriptions and provide hormone shots called HCG,"Judd said in announcing the charges Friday. "In fact, she was teaching us how to give ourselves the HCG shots."

HCG is short for human chorionic gonadotropin, which is used for weight loss. The gym is located at 1141 U.S. Highway 92 in Auburndale.

On Facebook, Jesse's Gym also uses the phrase, "Drop It Like It's Hot," which Judd said was the name of Lopez' previous business that was the subject of similar charges in June. The “Drop It Likes It’s Hot” weight loss clinic had been located at 6356 Cypress Gardens Boulevard in Winter Haven.

"For $300, she does a consult, provides the vial and needles, but then you'd have to come back weekly for a couple of other shots from her," Judd said of Lopez' gym business.

In addition to the charges against Lopez, her fiancee and business partner was also arrested. Fifty-one-year-old Edward Forgue was charged with tampering with evidence, according to the sheriff's office.

"Edward goes to the business and starts hauling out medicine and needles," the sheriff explained. "News flash: we were watching. So we arrest Mr. Forgue for tampering with evidence."

The sheriff's office released the following account of the sting operation:

• On Feb. 7, 2019, an investigator with the Florida Department of Health, Medical Quality Assurance made an appointment for a weight loss consultation at Jesse’s Gym after complaints were made to the Department of Health that unlicensed health care activity was occurring there.
• During her consultation, Lopez offered the investigator HCG shots (a prescription hormone — human chorionic gonadotropin — used in some fad diets to allegedly lose weight), B-Complex Shots and “Lipo” Shots, which Lopez marketed as a part of a weight loss program.
• The detective then scheduled a day to come back along with a friend. On Feb. 12, 2019, a PCSO undercover detective and the DOH Investigator went to Jesse’s Gym, met with Lopez, and Lopez and another employee offered them weight loss supplies, which included a Bariatric Advantage high protein meal replacement powder, five sealed plastic baggies of syringes and a vial of prescription HCG.
• The DOH investigator paid $300 for the supplies and consultation. On Feb. 14, 2019, a state probation officer conducted a probation compliance check at Lopez’s residence. Lopez was advised not to contact anyone during the visit, but Lopez used her Apple Watch to tell an employee at the gym to remove incriminating evidence at the business.
• Also located in Lopez’ car at the residence were needles and a vial of prescription “lipo” medicine in her vehicle, both of which violated her felony probation terms. Lopez was arrested and taken to the county jail.
• As probation officers were at Lopez’s house, her fiance and part-owner of the gym, 51-year-old, Edward Forgue of Winter Haven, arrived at the business and started removing items from inside and transporting them to his truck. He had been alerted by Lopez’ cousin that a state probation officer was at her residence conducting a search. Detectives arrested Forgue. He is charged with one count of Tampering with Physical Evidence.

A Facebook post for the business touted the results.

"I'm worth every dollar I charge," the post said. "Many have try other places in my absence. But they come back home to mamma."

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd holds up photos of Lopez and Forgue at a news conference. Image courtesy Polk County Sheriff's Office.