Jennings Ryan Staley, a physician who attempted to profit from the pandemic by marketing what he described as a “miracle cure” for COVID-19, was sentenced today to 30 days of custody and one year of home confinement for trying to smuggle hydroxychloroquine into the United States to sell in his coronavirus “treatment kits.”

Last year, Staley pleaded guilty to one count of importation contrary to law, admitting that he worked with a Chinese supplier to try to smuggle into the United States a barrel that he believed contained over 26 pounds of hydroxychloroquine powder by mislabeling it as “yam extract.” According to court documents, Staley also suggested this mislabeling technique to another supplier who declined, telling Staley, “sorry, we must do it legally.” 

Staley admitted that he intended to sell the hydroxychloroquine powder in capsules as part of his business venture selling COVID-19 “treatment kits” in March and April 2020, at the beginning of the global pandemic. According to sentencing documents, Staley also solicited investors for his scheme, promising one that he could “triple your money in 90 days.”

In his plea agreement, Staley admitted to writing a hydroxychloroquine prescription for one of his employees, misusing the employee’s name and personal identifying information. To fill the prescription for the increasingly scarce drug, Staley proceeded to answer pharmacists’ questions as though he were the employee, all without the employee’s knowledge or consent.

Read more at United States Department of Justice >>