Man Admits to Illegally Selling “Mr. Richard Rocks” Erectile Dysfunction Drugs in NJ
Authorities say a man from Utah has admitted to illegally selling erectile dysfunction pills branded as "Mr. Richard Rocks" across the country including in New Jersey.
55-year-old Robert Zeng of Salt Lake City, UT, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of introducing a misbranded drug into interstate commerce with intent to defraud and mislead consumers.
According to documents filed in this case and firm statements made in court:
Zeng was the owner of various businesses, including NutopiaUSA, which sold purported natural supplements online and through e-commerce websites. On Feb. 29, 2020, Zeng imported three kilograms of sildenafil, an active ingredient in the brand name prescription drug Viagra, which is approved by the FDA for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Zeng used the sildenafil to manufacture an unapproved and misbranded drug named “Mr. Richard Rocks.”
Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig says Zeng falsely marketed and labeled "Mr. Richard Rocks" as a dietary supplement containing only natural ingredients that treated erectile dysfunction, among other things, but he failed to disclose sildenafil as the ingredient, the potential side effects that it may cause, and he didn't provide adequate directions for use.
Zeng sold "Mr. Richard Rocks" on the Nutopia website and on e-commerce platforms to consumers across the United States, including in New Jersey, without requiring a prescription, says Honig.
Zeng now faces up to three years of hard time in prison and a stiff fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for August 26th.
This case originally arose out of the COVID-19 Hoarding and Price Gouging Task Force led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office which focuses on illegal activity involving protective personal equipment.