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March
2009 »
Man Found Guilty of Selling Counterfeit Ed Drugs
Monday March 30, 2009
A Dallas man was convicted Monday of conspiring to distribute counterfeit pharmaceuticals, and trafficking in pharmaceuticals bearing false labeling and counterfeit trademarks. Richard Fletcher, 57, of Dallas, Texas, pleaded guilty to both federal offenses at a hearing March 23 before U.S. District Judge Lee Rosenthal. Fletcher faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison, without parole, a $250,000 fine, and no more than three years of supervised release after the prison term at sentencing, which is set for June 23.
The investigation proved that Fletcher used the Internet to obtain and distribute counterfeit versions of Viagra, Cialis and Levitra pharmaceutical drugs. These name-brand drugs are FDA-approved prescription drugs that are used to treat erectile dysfunction. Viagra is manufactured and distributed exclusively by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. Cialis is manufactured and distributed exclusively by Eli Lilly. Levitra is manufactured and distributed exclusively by Bayer Corporation. Viagra, Cialis and Levitra are registered trademarks on the principal register in the US Patent and Trademark Office, according to a report submitted to the National Association of Chiefs of Police.
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