California Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Unapproved Drugs with Intent to Defraud over the Internet

Burlington, Vermont - The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that on October 17, 2024, Jeremy Brown, 55, of Simi Valley, California, pleaded guilty to introducing into interstate commerce new drugs not approved by the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") with the intent to defraud or mislead.

According to court records, between March 2019 and December 2023, Brown operated a company, Warrior Labz SARMs, and accompanying websites through which he sold unapproved versions of prescription drugs and other substances. Specifically, Brown sold Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators ("SARMs"), which are substances similar to anabolic steroids; unapproved versions of erectile-dysfunction drugs Viagra and Cialis; and unapproved versions of weight-loss drugs Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus.

Brown falsely claimed on his websites that the drugs offered for sale were for "research purposes only" and "not for human consumption." Alongside those claims, however, were claims that the drugs would provide various benefits affecting the structure and function of the human body.

Brown obtained the bulk of the drugs he sold from China. Brown did not verify shipping or storage conditions, nor did he use a lab to verify the contents of the drugs he received from China. But he falsely claimed on his websites that his company used only the highest quality pharmaceutical grade ingredients and U.S. manufacturing practices.

After receiving a warning letter from the FDA in June 2023, Brown continued to sell unapproved drugs over the internet. Between August and December 2023, Brown made three sales of unapproved drugs to an undercover law enforcement account in Vermont.

Brown faces up to three years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined by the Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors.

"Drugs that are produced and distributed outside the FDA's oversight present the risk of harm to the public health," said Special Agent in Charge Fernando McMillan, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, New York Field Office. "We remain committed to pursuing and bringing to justice those who attempt to subvert the regulatory functions of the FDA by distributing unapproved, and potentially dangerous, products."

United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigatory efforts of the Food and Drug Administration and the United States Postal Inspection Service.

The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Corinne Smith. Brown is represented by Rick Collins, Esq. and Lisa Shelkrot, Esq.