Some things never change even after nearly 20 years as a man caught posing as a dentist here back in 1994 has been arrested again on the same charge in Columbia.
The suspect, Michael Richardson, 54, and his wife, Lana Richardson, 51, were arrested recently at their business, Amazing Smiles, in Columbia. They are charged with impersonating a licensed professional.
Their charges come after an undercover agent discovered Richardson was portraying himself as a licensed dentist as part of his practice. When officers served a search warrant on their business, police say they encountered customers who wrongly believed they were being serviced by a dentist.
Police in Columbia note advertisements for Amazing Smiles listed a Dr. Roberts as the dentist there. However, from what they can tell, the patients were being serviced by Richardson, who does not have a dental license.
The incident is a flashback to a crime for which Richardson pled guilty in Warren County in 1994. Richardson was charged for operating an office near Sunnyside Heights where he portrayed himself as a dentist despite not having a license. He eventually entered a plea settlement and was placed on probation for one year.
However, with his arrest in Columbia it was learned Richardson failed to abide by the terms of his agreement by not reporting or paying fees. As a result, he has been charged with violation of probation here and could face serving a year in jail if he is found guilty. He made an appearance here last week and is free on bond awaiting his probation violation hearing.
In addition to his problems here and in Columbia, Richardson reportedly has similar warrants waiting for him in Glasgow, Ky.
According to his probation papers signed here back in 1995, Richardson was to spend his probationary time in the state of Washington where his particular brand of denture practice, which is not recognized as legal here under Tennessee dental standards, is considered legal.