Authorities recently shuttered a clinic in Kingsland and charged the operator with practicing medicine without a license.
Daniel Rodriguez Alejos, 50, of Granite Shoals was booked into the Burnet County Jail on Jan. 9 and released the same day on a $75,000 bond. He faces a third degree felony charge for allegedly “practicing medicine without a license.”
“He was seeing patients and prescribing medication to them or providing medication,” Burnet County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Mike Sorenson told
The Highlander. "He was getting medication from other sources … and charging for that.”
Sorenson confirmed that the agency initially received two complaints about Clinica Hispana Santa Maria, located in the 100 block of Cottonwood Dr. in Kingsland.
A person in the medical field was one of two people who offered tips about the facility.
“We’ve been working on it for a little while,” Sorenson said. “Him and another individual.
This other individual is his partner … he was his office staff/nurse.
“(The staff member) was not arrested because he was not the one practicing medicine without a license.”
After a 10-week probe, peace officers descended on the clinic located in a Kingsland business suite in Llano County as well as the suspect’s residence in the 100 block of East Bluebriar in Granite Shoals in Burnet County. “He was cooperative but he wasn’t free with any information,” Sorenson said. “He was pleading at that point and did not want to say anything.”
Investigators based their charge on research about the suspect’s credentials.
“You can check through the medical board through the State of Texas. That was done,” Sorenson continued. “He had no major diplomas from any colleges associated with medicine.
“He didn’t have an advanced degree of any type at all.”
In a process that resembled an apparent black market operation, investigators allege Alejos dealt with patients by primarily diagnosing and dosing.
“With no medical background, he can prescribe any kind of medication to anybody,” Sorenson said of the potential public safety threat. “He doesn’t know the adverse affects. He may not know if people are allergic to medications.”
Concerns include drug interactions which could turn deadly.
“The medications he’s giving them may or may not be appropriate for their ailment. We just don’t know,” he added. “He was (doing examinations) to a certain degree. We’ll get more of that information when we talk to people who actually went to see him.”
The investigation is ongoing and former clients may divulge more about the unauthorized practice.
“We have not yet (interviewed clients).
That’s in the works,” Sorenson said. “CID (Criminal Investigation Division) is gathering more information for additional charges we’ll be filing on him based on information found in the search warrant.”
In a video on the suspect’s Instagram page, Alejos identified himself as the “CEO” of the clinic and “part of the medical team.”
Excerpts of his video, translated from Spanish, promoted the grand opening of the facility in November 2025.
Alejos, standing at a table with various documents posted on the wall behind him, shared details about the clinic’s mission.
“I’m proud to be able to serve this community ... to meet with all the immigrants. Don’t be afraid. Santa Maria won’t ask you questions about your immigration status,” Alejos explained. “At the clinic we believe everyone needs medical care with respect, compassion and to make it accessible. … Don’t be afraid. Don’t miss your appointments. Don’t ignore your health. I’m sure we’ll have a solution. …” More charges are expected.
“They’re still following up with other leads based on what they found in the search warrant,” Sorenson said.
BCSO investigators welcome tips in this criminal investigation.
Contact Lt. Joe Saldavar at 512-756-8080.
