EAST WINDSOR: Would-be dentist entering pretrial intervention program

By Doug Carman, Staff Writer
   EAST WINDSOR — A man accused of running a dental practice without a license in an East Windsor apartment agreed to enter a pretrial intervention program Wednesday, avoiding a trial, Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office spokeswoman Casey Deblasio said in an e-mail Thursday.
   Ms. Deblasio said Andiry Makaruha, who was charged with indictable offences of practicing dentistry without a license and possession of a controlled dangerous substance, agreed to enter the program during a pre-indictment hearing Wednesday at the Mercer County Criminal Courthouse in Trenton.
   Mercer County Superior Court Judge Gerald J. Council ordered Mr. Makaruha to 36 months of supervision. He also has to perform 40 hours of community service, pay a $1,000 fine, and must have a full-time job outside of the medical field.
   Attorney Sergey Shapka of the Mayzel Law Group in Srpingfield, who is representing Mr. Makaruha, declined comment.
   According to the New Jersey Courts Web page, pretrial intervention programs are offered to people who have no prior convictions and have not previously been in an intervention program. If completed successfully, suspects can have their charges dismissed and a conviction does not appear on their record.
   Mr. Makaruha, who lives in Jamesburg according to phone listings, was arrested Feb. 14 after an East Windsor health official performing routine inspections discovered his makeshift dental office within an apartment at Brickwood Apartments off of Old Hickory Road. Police investigators came to the apartment and found several dental tools and anesthetics.
   Police did not find any clients for Mr. Makaruha before referring the case to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.