SPARTA, Mich. (WZZM) - The Kent County Sheriff's Department has arrested and charged a man for performing circumcisions without a license.
56-year-old Thomas Heugel is charged with unauthorized practice as a health professional. He's accused of performing circumcisions on three adult males in a bedroom of his Sparta home. Investigators say Heugel told his patients he was a medical doctor.
"He had a mini operating room type atmosphere set up at his house and he wore a laboratory coat, and he was even able to administer a local anesthetic before the procedure," said Lt. Kevin Kelley.
"I don't know who would go to somebody's house for a surgery," said neighbor Larry Benson, who says he has known Heugel for several years.
Benson was unaware of any illegal activity until he saw Kent County deputies remove Heugel from his home in handcuffs Tuesday.
When questioned, Detective Ed Kolakowski says Heugel told Kent County deputies he used to be an army doctor. Benson, shocked by the developments, says he heard a different story.
"You can't do things like that, your not a doctor, you're not even close. You never studied. He was a retired EMT or something," Benson said.
Det. Kolakowski says Heugel's victims had ties to the homosexual community.
Heugel networked on websites like Craigslist and adam4adam.com. Det. Kolakowski says he has scoured those sites, but so far they cannot find any ads posted by Heugel offering circumcisions.
Heugel is also charged with performing body peircings and massages without a license. Kent County detectives say they are also working with the Michigan Attorney General's Office and the Department of Public Health.
"Our concern is that there might be people out there that had a medical procedure done by Mr. Heugel and not realizing in fact that he is not a doctor," said Lt. Kelley.
It is unclear why the individuals wanted circumcisions but they all consented, according to Kolakowski. Kolakowski says one of the victims was diagnosed by Heugel with Phimosis, a medical condition that can require circumcision.
Neighbors are dumbfounded by the charges.
"We had Thanksgiving dinner with him about four years ago and everything was okay over there but obviously not," said Danneen Miller.
Anyone who has additional information regarding the case against Thomas Heugel is encouraged to contact Det. Ed Kolakowski at 336-5179, the Kent County Sheriff's Office at 632-6100 or Silent Observer at 774-2345.
In your voice
