Extra: Man SDNY Charges With Illegally Injecting Botox Counterfeited from China Is Free on Bond

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by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Jan 22 – Joey Grant Luther was charged on Wednesday with wire fraud, smuggling, and other crimes related to misbranded and counterfeit drugs: Botox. The prosecutors said he shipped counterfeit drugs, including counterfeit Botox, from countries in Asia, including China, and injected them, without the required license, into his clients at his medical spa, JGL Aesthetics.

Luther was presented before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave past 4 pm on January 22. Inner City Press was there, thread:

[Luther is on a white T-shirt with a few holes in it] All rise!

Judge: I approve the appointment of counsel for today. You are charged with false statements to clients, wire fraud, dispensing falsely labeled Botox without a license

AUSA: We seek detention, on risk of flight and of obstruction, and danger CJA defense: We seek release on bond AUSA: He administered counterfeit Botox, he knew it caused damage to ocular nerves. He said it was normal. Then he asked his supplier for 41 free vials. [Points at Luther, who has put on, and taken off, glasses]

AUSA: At 414 West 45th Street he was scheduled to give another counterfeit Botox injection today at 5:30 pm [in less than an hour]. He also injects Ozempic into people in Florida

AUSA: He arrived back from Miami last night. [Pulls out binder, proffers text messages]

Defense: After the August search warrant he shut down the business there, he had a lawyer who was calling the Government for him Defense: This is not a gang case. Judge: Does he live in Miami or Hells Kitchen. Defense: Both. He downsized. He prefers Miami. Here in the courtroom is his romantic partner, the gentleman there in the back, he has a job offer from Jean Georges restaurant

AUSA: He still has access to the counterfeit botox. He ordered Botox on July 17, 2024 under the name of one of his proposed co-signers

[Judge is writing; AUSA sips water] Judge: There are condition I can release you on: a $100,000 bond secured by your Miami apartment

More courtroom details on X for Subscribers here and below the paywall / subscribe (support) line here