San Diego doctor who smuggled hydroxychloroquine into US, sold medication as a COVID-19 cure sentenced

SAN DIEGO – A San Diego physician was sentenced Friday to 30 days of custody and one 12 months of home arrest for trying to smuggle hydroxychloroquine into the U.S. and promote COVID-19 “remedy kits” originally of the pandemic.  

In accordance with officers with the U.S. Division of Justice, Jennings Ryan Staley tried to promote what he described as a “medical remedy” for the coronavirus, which was actually hydroxychloroquine powder that the doctor had imported in from China by mislabeling the delivery container as “yam extract.” Staley had tried to duplicate this course of with one other vendor at one level, as properly, however the importer informed the San Diego physician that they “should do it legally.” 

Following the arrival of his cargo of the hydroxychloroquine powder, Staley solicited buyers to assist fund his operation to promote the crammed capsules as a “medical remedy” for COVID-19. The SoCal physician informed potential buyers that he may triple their cash inside 90 days.  

Staley additionally informed investigators by way of his plea settlement that he had written false prescriptions for hydroxychloroquine, utilizing his affiliate’s title and private particulars with out the worker’s consent or information.  

Throughout an undercover operation, an agent bought six of Staley’s “remedy kits” for $4,000 and, throughout a recorded telephone name, the physician bragged concerning the efficacy of the kits and stated, “I obtained the final tank of . . . hydroxychloroquine, smuggled out of China.”  

When confronted by regulation enforcement, Staley denied claiming that the kits have been a “100% efficient remedy” for COVID-19 and stated that he wouldn’t knowingly give out a prescription with out receiving the correct particulars about who the treatment can be going to. Only a week earlier, officers say, Staley had issued a “household pack” of hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, generic Viagra, and different medication to the secret agent with none details about the agent’s household being exchanged.  

Along with the 30 days of custody and one 12 months of house confinement ordered by U.S. District Choose Gonzalo P. Curiel, Staley was additionally ordered to pay a $10,000 superb and forfeit the $4,000 handed over by the secret agent. The San Diego physician additionally needed to forfeit greater than 4,500 tablets of pharmaceutical medication.

“On the top of the pandemic, earlier than vaccines have been obtainable, this physician sought to revenue from sufferers’ fears,” stated U.S. Lawyer Randy Grossman. “He abused his place of belief and undermined the integrity of all the medical occupation. We’re dedicated to imposing the legal guidelines of america and defending sufferers, together with prosecuting docs who select to commit crimes.” Grossman counseled the prosecution group and federal brokers from FBI and FDA-OCI, who labored arduous pursuing justice on this case. He additionally counseled U.S. Customs and Border Safety for its help with the investigation.