Florida Company Sentenced to $2.5 Million Fine for Unlawful Distribution of Anabolic Steroids

Source: United States Department of Justice News

FRANFORT, Ky. A Florida company, Modern Therapy, LLC, was sentenced on Friday to pay a $2.5 million fine by U.S. District Judge Gregory VanTatenhove for the unlawful distribution of anabolic steroids.

Modern Therapy operated out of Hallandale Beach, Florida.  According to its plea agreement, it marketed anabolic steroids, human growth hormone, and related products to customers over the Internet.  Anabolic steroids are a Schedule III controlled substance and may only be issued pursuant to a valid prescription for a legitimate medical purpose.  Modern Therapy paid physicians for use of their electronic signatures, which were applied to anabolic steroid prescriptions for customers the doctors never examined.  Modern Therapy sold and shipped steroids, HGH, and related products to customers across the country, including numerous Kentucky customers.  According to Modern Therapy’s plea agreement, between January 1, 2014 and February 1, 2020, the company received more than $25 million in customer payments for these illegally distributed products. 

Modern Therapy pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled sustances in June 2022.  In addition to the $2.5 million fine, the sentence includes an $11 million forfeiture money judgment.  In a parallel civil forfeiture case, Modern Therapy agreed to forfeit three Florida residential properties purchased with proceeds of its crime, and $125,589 in currency seized from its bank accounts.

Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; and George Scavdis, Special Agent in Charge, Metro Washington Field Office, U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI), jointly announced the sentence.

This investigation was conducted by FDA-OCI, with substantial assistance from the Kentucky State Police – Drug Enforcement/Special Investigations (DESI – East); the West Virginia State Police; the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office; the Broward County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office – Money Laundering Task Force; the Kentucky Cabinet for Health & Family Services – Office of Inspector General – Drug Enforcement & Professional Practices Branch, and the Florida Department of Health – Bureau of Enforcement.  The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul McCaffrey.

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