Brandon Piper, a 35-year-old resident of Gobles, Michigan, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for conspiracy to introduce misbranded drugs into the market with the intent to defraud and mislead both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and consumers, according to a July 23 announcement by U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, Timothy VerHey.
During sentencing, U.S. District Judge Robert J. Jonker said his sentence was designed “to send a message to Piper and to the public about the consequences of ignoring the FDA and the law.” According to court filings, Piper participated in an extensive scheme importing unapproved prescription drugs—including peptides popular as weight loss medications—from China for distribution in the United States. Customers purchased these drugs through a Canadian website and later on Piper’s own site, www.MilestonePurity.com. Both sites stated that products were “for research purposes only,” but prosecutors said Piper knew customers would use them personally. Some products were labeled as “Product of the USA” despite being sourced from China.
Examples of drugs sold included semaglutide and tirzepatide—both requiring prescriptions from licensed practitioners before dispensing—but they were sold without obtaining prescriptions or providing adequate directions for use. The FDA-approved versions of these drugs carry boxed warnings about risks such as thyroid C-cell tumors; however, warnings were omitted from those distributed by Piper.
“Brandon Piper’s business bypassed important drug safeguards that made him a danger to his customers,” said United States Attorney Timothy VerHey. “By going around the prescription requirement, he made drugs available to his customers that are dangerous – and even deadly – when used improperly. Also, the foreign drugs Piper was selling lacked any kind of quality control and could have contained anything. Put those two factors together and you have a recipe for disaster. Because of that, my office will always treat people like Piper just like street level drug dealers.”
“The FDA is committed to disrupting and dismantling the illegal sales of drugs online,” said Special Agent in Charge Ronne Malham with FDA Office of Criminal Investigations’ Chicago Field Office. “We will continue to investigate and bring to justice those who exploit the internet for profits with reckless disregard for the risk to public health and safety.” The case was prepared by FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations; Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie M. Carowan is prosecuting it.
One co-defendant in this case, Mayze Nichols, is scheduled for sentencing on related charges before United States Magistrate Judge Ray Kent on September 15.
The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan prosecutes federal crimes—including drug offenses—and manages civil litigation across one of America’s longest-standing federal law enforcement districts; it employs approximately 70 prosecutors along with civil litigators and support staff at offices in Grand Rapids, Marquette (staffed), Lansing, and Kalamazoo (unstaffed), supports community health initiatives such as heroin awareness efforts; all part of its role within the United States Department of Justice.