NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – An aesthetician has been arrested for allegedly purchasing and importing counterfeit botox from China and injecting it into clients at his Hell’s Kitchen medical spa without a license, prosecutors announced Wednesday.
Joey Grant Luther, 54, faces charges of wire fraud, smuggling, and other crimes related to misbranded and counterfeit drugs, according to Danielle R. Sassoon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
According to court documents, Luther allegedly shipped counterfeit drugs, including fake botox, from countries in Asia, including China, and injected them into clients at his medical spa, JGL Aesthetics, without the required license. None of the counterfeit botox used was approved for sale or distribution in the U.S. by the FDA.
In one example, on Feb. 27, 2024, Luther injected counterfeit botox into a client’s armpits and eyebrow area, according to prosecutors. Three days later, the client experienced severe symptoms, including double vision, difficulty swallowing, slurred speech, and upper body weakness, ultimately being diagnosed with botulism toxin on March 20, 2024, after visiting three hospitals.
From between in or about April 2023 in or about January 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol seized parcels of counterfeit drugs, including fake botox intended for JGL Aesthetics, and one which lists a return address in Hong Kong.
Between March and April 2024, while Luther allegedly negotiated another purchase of counterfeit botox, several clients messaged him about side effects such as lazy eyes, double vision, and drooping eyelids. Despite knowing the botox was counterfeit, Luther allegedly assured them the side effects were temporary and falsely claimed the product was from Allergan.
In October 2024, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at JGL Aesthetics. Records revealed that the spa had logged approximately 700 appointments for botox-related services. Data showed that botox-related services had been offered since as early as January 2021.
Luther was charged with wire fraud, dispensing a misbranded drug while held for sale, holding counterfeit drugs for sale and dispensing, receiving misbranded drugs in interstate commerce, and smuggling.