Danielle R. Sassoon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, has announced charges against Joey Grant Luther. The charges include wire fraud, smuggling, and other crimes related to counterfeit drugs. According to the complaint, from April 2023 through July 2024, Luther allegedly shipped counterfeit drugs, including Botox, from Asian countries such as China and injected them into clients at his medical spa, JGL Aesthetics. These counterfeit products were not approved by the FDA for sale or use in the U.S. Luther was arrested and is set to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave.
U.S. Attorney Danielle R. Sassoon stated: “As alleged, Joey Grant Luther...knowingly purchased counterfeit Botox from China, injected it into his clients...Luther’s disregard for the health of his clients put all of his victims in harm’s way and, in some cases, caused life-threatening injuries."
The complaint alleges that between January 2021 and July 2024, Luther operated JGL Aesthetics in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood. In September 2021, a client known as "Victim-1" received Botox treatments from Luther without providing a prescription. After receiving injections on February 27, 2024, Victim-1 experienced severe symptoms and was later diagnosed with Botulism toxin.
From April 2023 to January 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol seized parcels intended for JGL Aesthetics containing counterfeit drugs from Hong Kong. Despite complaints about side effects like lazy eyes and double vision from multiple clients between March and April 2024, Luther continued procuring and injecting counterfeit Botox.
Between March 13 and October 2, 2024—after law enforcement executed a search warrant—JGL Aesthetics logged approximately 700 appointments coded for Botox-related services.
Luther faces several charges: one count of wire fraud (maximum sentence of 20 years), dispensing misbranded drugs (one year), holding counterfeit drugs (10 years), receiving misbranded drugs (three years), and smuggling (20 years). Sentencing will be determined by a judge.
Ms. Sassoon commended the investigative work of various agencies including the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations and the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon C. Thompson is leading the prosecution for this case handled by the Narcotics Unit.
The charges are accusations; Luther is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
