PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — A 37-year-old man is accused of sexually battering an 18-year-old while she was undergoing oral surgery, according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.
- Edwin Alvis charged with sexual battery, rape
- Sheriff's Office said woman was battered while under "laughing gas"
- DNA swab test confirmed Alvis as suspect, arrest report says
Edwin Alvis was charged with sexual battery and rape.
The Sheriff's Office said Friday that the incident happened in early December at the Tampa Bay Institute of Oral Surgery. The woman was there to have her wisdom teeth removed.
Authorities said Alvis administered "laughing gas" to sedate the woman before the sexual battery occurred.
Alvis was later interviewed by investigators. He denied any sexual contact with the woman but consented to a DNA swab test.
On Wednesday, a report concluded that Alvis's DNA was present on the woman's breasts.
One new patient said she was distraught about the allegations, but also that her experience at Tampa Bay Institute of Oral Surgery has been positive.
"I've been treated very respectfully, and they've informed me of all the procedures and what's going to happen and that a person is supposed to wait for you there while the whole entire surgery happens," Taryn Porrata said.
Saundra Sherman said she reported for a Friday afternoon appointment but that the office had closed. She said "the world is not safe" when she learned about the arrest.
"That's a child. To me, that is still a child," Sherman said. "You're 18, that is still a teen. You're still a child. That girl probably goes to school. You're in here playing with her body parts and what-not? You need to be arrested."
A spokesperson for the Pasco County Sheriff's Office said they are not aware of any other victims at this time, but if anyone has experienced something similar, they're asked to contact authorities right away.
Fhe dental office didn't respond to multiple requests for comment.