A Garner man is charged with two serious misdemeanors after authorities found an illegal tattoo parlor at his home. The Hancock County Attorney’s Office says 20-year-old Lance Andrew Alvarez has been charged with providing a tattoo to a minor and unauthorized practice of tattooing.
Garner police say that Alvarez has tattooed several people — including several minors — and that he frequently used non-sterilized instruments. That creates a serious health situation, and anyone who received a tattoo from Alvarez could be at risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens, including H-I-V and Hepatitis B and C.
If you received an illegal tattoo, you should go to your health provider or contact the Hancock County Public Health Department at 641-923-3676 to find out more about being tested.