A man from Rochester, New York, has been sentenced to 54 months in prison for selling counterfeit Xanax on the dark web. The sentencing took place on Tuesday in St. Louis, where U.S. District Court Judge Audrey G. Fleissig addressed John Cruz, 31, for his actions.
“I hope you understand that you put people’s lives at risk,” Judge Fleissig told John Cruz.
Cruz pleaded guilty twice in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of conspiracy to misbrand, introduce misbranded drugs and sell counterfeit drugs: first on November 29, 2023, and again on July 1, 2024. He admitted to buying counterfeit Xanax—an anti-anxiety medication—on the darknet and reselling it from at least October 2019 through May 2021. While out on bond after his initial guilty plea in 2023, Cruz continued his illegal activities by running a darknet website offering four types of counterfeit or misbranded pills.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John Ware said during Tuesday’s hearing that Cruz’ ongoing sale of drugs showed “arrogance,” a “lack of remorse” and “deliberate anti-social behavior.”
Authorities seized $145,502 from a Monero cryptocurrency account linked to Cruz’s drug sales; he has agreed to forfeit this amount as proceeds of the crime.
“Any medication purchased online should be considered suspicious,” said DEA St. Louis Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Davis. “More often than not, those selling these drugs, including repeat offender John Cruz, are fully aware that the product their pushing is counterfeit and often laced with fentanyl. Cruz is a threat not only to our St. Louis communities, but to anyone who has a computer and access to the dark web. Let today’s sentencing serve as a reminder that prescription medications should only be filled by a licensed pharmacist, not bought online from unknown and unreliable sources.”
Inspector in Charge Ruth Mendonça of the Chicago Division added: “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is charged with defending the nation’s mail system from illegal use. With the collaborative efforts of our federal law enforcement partners, Postal Inspectors investigate those utilizing the U.S. Mail for illicit activities, including the distribution of narcotics. Today’s sentencing reflects the diligent investigative work by Postal Inspectors, and our law enforcement partners.”
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Ware and Kyle Bateman prosecuted the case.
