Fake Viagra: Houston Man Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Importation
By Mark Hochglaube | | Last Modified on May 23, 2014
While the idea of “fake” Viagra may cause a smirk or a grin to cross your face, the consequences in federal court are real and significant. The federal government has vast resources that can be used to investigate potential federal offenses. Certainly, prosecutors take these cases seriously. The stakes are high when prosecutors seek a federal indictment, and the issues can be complex. Federal offenses typically carry significant penalties, and indictments in federal cases can be lengthy and complicated. A good attorney should help an accused understand the indictment and what the potential consequences can be.
When allegations of drug trafficking or smuggling are made, most people envision marijuana, cocaine, or other high-profile controlled substances being secreted in some kind of vehicle. However, a recent case in Texas highlights the reality that many other substances are handled in federal court. While the idea of fake Viagra may seem comical, the resulting prison sentence is not. A good lawyer can evaluate the case to decide whether to fight against a conviction. If the case cannot be fought, sentencing results can vary dramatically based on the amount of research and preparation by the defense attorney.
Authorities claim that officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized a package that was en route to Houston from China that prosecutors claim contained counterfeit Viagra pills. Several federal agencies joined in the investigation. Ultimately, three people were charged with federal crimes.
Two of the defendants previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges, while the third entered guilty pleas to federal charges earlier this week. Officials say that the misbranded and counterfeit medications were shipped to a 26-year-old Houston man. He appeared in court this week and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods and other charges related to the allegedly counterfeit medications.
Among the federal charges was a count brought under the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act prohibiting the introduction of counterfeit medications into interstate commerce. The tomes of federal laws provide the government with a variety of theories to pursue criminal charges. A person suspected of a federal offense has the right to seek the advice and representation of a federal criminal defense lawyer who can help in protecting rights, even during a criminal probe.
Source: Your Houston News, “Houston man pleads guilty to conspiring to smuggle, traffic counterfeit Viagra tablets,” May 21, 2014
About the author: Mark Hochglaube
Member of Hochglaube & DeBorde Law Firm
Mark Hochglaube is an attorney member at Hochglaube & DeBorde Law Firm in Houston, Texas, focusing on Criminal Defense. He has 27 years of experience (licensed in Texas since 1998) and is admitted to the Texas Bar (1998) and the U.S. District & Bankruptcy Court – Southern District of Texas. Mark earned his J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center (1998) and B.A. from Pomona College (1993), and is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (2012).
