A New York City skin care professional was arrested Wednesday for allegedly injecting a client with fake Botox from China, leaving one woman with “double vision” and heart palpitations, federal authorities said.
Joey Grant Luther, 54, a Hell's Kitchen esthetician, allegedly sold counterfeit prescription drugs to customers at her medical spa, JGL Aesthetics, and obtained the proper New York state permits. The prosecutor's office announced that there is a suspicion that the patient was treated without receiving medical attention.
One of the alleged victims paid $463 for what appeared to be Botox injections in her eyebrows and armpits in February 2024.
Three days later, she began experiencing “double vision, lightheadedness, difficulty swallowing or chewing, palpitations, and slurred speech,” according to a criminal complaint unsealed in Manhattan federal court.
Prosecutors said the victim was later diagnosed with botulinum toxin.
Prosecutor Brandon Thompson said the alleged fake Botox supplier continued to sell the illegal treatment for months, despite several customers reporting serious illness from the fake product. He continued to make large profits.
Luther, who rents a penthouse apartment above a doctor's office on West 45th Street near Ninth Avenue, is said to have continued Botox treatments up until his arrest, even having an appointment for 5:30 p.m. said Thompson at the esthetician's first court appearance. case.
According to court documents, Luther demanded more Botox from his supplier, knowing it was unsafe, and then brazenly demanded 41 bottles of Botox for free because his client was suffering.
“He knew about these issues and said, 'I want more of this toxic substance available to people, and I want it to be free,'” Thompson said during the court hearing. shirt and jeans.
Luther was charged with wire fraud, smuggling, and other crimes related to counterfeit and counterfeit drugs.
He was released Wednesday on $100,000 bail secured at his Miami Beach vacation home over the objections of prosecutors. He said it was a “very big risk to the public.”
U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave released Luther on the condition that she surrender her existing cosmetology license (which already prohibits Botox treatments) and post her Miami Beach home as collateral. I ordered.
Mr. Luther's alleged victims were led to believe that the Botox was manufactured by the brand name “Allergan,” but federal officials said Mr. Luther was scheduled to receive a number of counterfeit products from Asia at his office. The boxes were seized, federal authorities said.
“Luther's disregard for the health of his clients put all of his victims at risk and in some cases caused life-threatening injuries,” Daniel Sassoon, interim U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a statement. said.
Luther did not comment when asked about the charges on his way out of court.
His next court date was scheduled for early February.
If convicted of the most serious charges, he could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.