A Springtown, Texas, man faces misdemeanor charges for practicing equine dentistry without a license, according to the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (TBVME).

Investigators from the TBVME and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association arrested Nathan Strahan, 33, and charged him with practicing equine dentistry without a license and possession of a dangerous drug. If convicted, Strahan could be sentenced to 1 year in jail and/or fined as much as $4,000.

The TBVME began investigating after receiving a complaint that Strahan was performing dental services in North Texas and Southwestern Oklahoma. During the course of the inquiry, an undercover sting operation was conducted in which Strahan offered to provide dental services for the investigators, including sedation.

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Wayne Goodman obtained a warrant to arrest Strahan for the practice of equine dentistry without a license. The Parker County Sheriff’s Office assisted in obtaining a separate warrant for possession of dangerous drugs. Goodman found xylazine in the console of Strahan’s vehicle, according to the Weatherford Democrat. The bottle’s label stated that the drug was to be used only under the direction of a licensed veterinarian.

“Practicing equine dentistry or veterinary medicine may not seem like a serious offense, but for those involved in the livestock industry, having an untrained and unlicensed individual perform procedures on an animal that they rely on to make a living with can have far-reaching consequences,” says Matthew West, TBVME director of enforcement.

Strahan is under investigation by the state of California for the same offense, according the Weatherford Democrat.