Surgeon sentenced to prison for botched breast augmentation

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The family of a 36-year-old woman who died during plastic surgery gave powerful testimony in court Friday.

During his emotional statement, Moises Espinoza told the judge how his family's future was robbed by the unthinkable death of his wife Megan Espinoza, the mother of their two young boys.

"They'll never be able to understand the love a mother has," Moises said.

Megan's parents also talked about the emptiness in their hearts. That will never go away for family, friends and the students Megan taught as a kindergarten teacher.

"I will never again will feel the warm embrace of Megan's hug around my neck," Megan's father David Gorcey said.

In 2018, Megan Espinoza went to Divino Surgery Center in Bonita to get breast augmentation surgery. But prosecutors say Megan was given anesthesia by nurse Heather Vass who was not licensed to do so.

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During the operation, Megan went into cardiac arrest and the surgeon, Dr. Carlos Chacon, delayed calling emergency services for three hours, while he called other doctors for advice and checked on other patients.

Prosecutors also say Chacon instructed his staff to lie to Megan's husband about her dire condition.

Megan died at a hospital a month later.

"You violated your oath and trust," Judge Maryann D'Addezio said

Gorcey pleaded with the judge to give Chacon the maximum of eleven years.

"The minimum sentencing of three years seems, well, painfully inappropriate," Gorcey said.

Before being sentenced, Chacon admitted to his failures as a physician.

"And I am deeply, deeply sorry for the immense pain and suffering that my failure to fulfill my duties caused to those who know, knew and loved her," Chacon said.

Chacon and prosecutors had already previously accepted a plea deal of three years in prison and the permanent revocation of his California medical license – a seemingly light sentence in exchange for the heartache that will last a lifetime for Megan's loved ones.

"This wound will not heal, but instead lingers and quite honestly it does not get better with time," Gorcey said.

Heather Vass was also sentenced Friday. She will spend the next two years in prison for giving Megan a deadly combination of drugs including ketamine and fentanyl.