Document Library — Federal Counterfeit Drug Prosecutions

In the age of the Internet, trying and convicting drug counterfeiters often involves resource-intensive investigation across multiple jurisdictions and even when those resources are available, current laws and regulations aren't always enough to deter these criminals' activity.  Determined prosecutors employ a range of laws to bring these charges—including violations of the Food Drug and Cosmetic Act and the Federal Controlled Substances Act, and criminal codes that address fraud, counterfeiting, theft and money laundering.

In this ongoing project, PSM is gathering court documents that offer insight into how prosecutors have approached these cases. We've started with federal cases, but plan to expand into state prosecutions in the future.

Recent additions

Indictment, USA v CapsulCN International Co Ltd et al
Information, USA v Xaiofei Chen
Report and recommendations of judge upon guilty plea, USA v Xaiofei Chen
Government Sentencing Memo, USA v Aaron Michael Thomas, February 24, 2025
Plea Agreement, USA v Aaron Michael Thomas, November 27, 2024
Information, USA v Aaron Michael Thomas, November 21, 2024

Cases we are following:

Case overview, USA v Capsulcn International Co Ltd et al

In May 2025, the U.S. District Court in the Western District of Texas unsealed an indictment against a CapsulCN International and three Chinese nationals for their alleged role in the illegal importation of pill-making equipment.

Case overview, Gilead Sciences v Heal the World et al

Gilead Sciences has filed a civil complaint against a Queens, New York-based pharmacy that allegedly sold counterfeit HIV medicine.

Case overview, USA v Xiaofei Chen

Xaiofei "Sophie" Chen pleaded guilty to illegally importing a pill press and a counterfeit pill mold in April 2025. The Chinese national worked for CapsulCN, which is under indictment for pill press trafficking.

See documents by

Food and Drug-related charges | Criminal code charges | Document type

Food and Drugs violations

Unapproved drugs / devices

Government Sentencing Memo, USA v Aaron Michael Thomas, February 24, 2025
Plea Agreement, USA v Aaron Michael Thomas, November 27, 2024
Information, USA v Aaron Michael Thomas, November 21, 2024
Indictment, USA v Aaron Michael Thomas and Darren Doil Means, January 17, 2024
Indictment, USA v Avanish Kumar Jha and Rajnish Kumar Jha, April 2022
Complaint, USA v Joey Grant Luther
Indictment, USA v Bhavesh Ranchhodbhai Lathiya and Raxuter Chemicals
Money Judgment, USA v Rui-Siang Lin (Incognito Market)
Indictment, USA v Rui-Siang Lin (Incognito Market)
Government’s Restitution Memo, USA v Lorik Papyan
Order re: Payment of Restitution, USA v Lorik Papyan
Indictment, USA v Hubei Aoks Bio-Tech Co and Xuening Gao et al
Plea Agreement, USA v Jeremy Brown
Information, USA v Jeremy Brown
Government’s Sentencing Memo, USA v Lorik Papyan

Read the statutes: 21 USC §§ 331(i)(3) and 333(a)(2)

Distributor licensing / reporting requirements

Government’s Restitution Memo, USA v Lorik Papyan
Order re: Payment of Restitution, USA v Lorik Papyan
Government’s Sentencing Memo, USA v Lorik Papyan
Government’s Sentencing Memo, USA v Stephen Silverman
Information, USA v Brandon Adams, September 2023
Complaint, USA v Isis Navarro Reyes, April 29, 2024
Jury Instructions, USA v Minnesota Independent Cooperative, January 2023
Sentencing Memo, USA v Minnesota Independent Cooperative, March 2023
Indictment, USA v Minnesota Independent Cooperative, May 2015

Read the statute: 21 USC § 353(e)

Federal Controlled Substances Act violations

Information, USA v Xaiofei Chen
Report and recommendations of judge upon guilty plea, USA v Xaiofei Chen
Indictment, USA v Aaron Michael Thomas and Darren Doil Means, January 17, 2024
Jury Instructions, USA v Hubei Amarvel Biotech et al
Indictment, USA v Hubei Amarvel Biotech et al
Superseding Indictment, USA v Arden McCann
Complaint, USA v Xaiofei Chen
Indictment, USA v Xaiofei Chen
Money Judgment, USA v Rui-Siang Lin (Incognito Market)
Complaint, USA v Rui-Siang Lin (Incognito Market)

Read the statutes: 21 USC §§ 841 and 846

Prescription Drug Marketing Act violations

Jury Instructions, USA v Minnesota Independent Cooperative, January 2023
Sentencing Memo, USA v Minnesota Independent Cooperative, March 2023

Read the statute: Pub. L. 100–293, §1(a)

Drug Abuse Prevention: Criminal forfeitures

Information, USA v Aaron Michael Thomas, November 21, 2024
Indictment, USA v Aaron Michael Thomas and Darren Doil Means, January 17, 2024
Indictment, USA v Bhavesh Ranchhodbhai Lathiya and Raxuter Chemicals
Indictment, USA v Athos Chemicals PVT LTD
Money Judgment, USA v Rui-Siang Lin (Incognito Market)
Indictment, USA v Rui-Siang Lin (Incognito Market)
Indictment, USA v Hubei Aoks Bio-Tech Co and Xuening Gao et al
Superseding Information, USA v Lorik Papyan
Government’s Sentencing Memo, USA v Hakob Kojoyan
Superseding Indictment, USA v Edvin Ovasapyan, et al
Information, USA v Paul Lamberty, May 2024
Indictment, USA v Banmeet Singh, October 2019

Read the statute: 21 USC § 853

Drug Abuse Prevention: Attempt & conspiracy

Jury Instructions, USA v Hubei Amarvel Biotech et al
Verdict Sheet, USA v Hubei Amarvel Biotech et al
Indictment, USA v Hubei Amarvel Biotech et al
Plea Agreement, USA v Arden McCann
Superseding Indictment, USA v Arden McCann
Indictment, USA v Bhavesh Ranchhodbhai Lathiya and Raxuter Chemicals
Indictment, USA v Athos Chemicals PVT LTD
Indictment, USA v Rui-Siang Lin (Incognito Market)
Indictment, USA v Hubei Aoks Bio-Tech Co and Xuening Gao et al
Indictment, USA v Wuhan Mingyue Information Technology and Huan Huan Song
Indictment,USA v Wuhan Jinshang Import & Export Trading Company and Wenying Nie
Indictment, USA v Tianjin Furuntongda Tech Co and Wenxing Gao
Indictment, USA v Jiangsu Jiyi Chemical and Ji Zhaohui
Indictment, USA v Guangzhou Tengyue Chemical and Xiaojun Huang
Indictment, USA v Shanghai Senria Biotechology Co Ltd and Zhenbo Han

Read the statute: 21 USC § 963

Drug Abuse Prevention: Importation of controlled substances

Superseding Indictment, USA v Arden McCann
Indictment, USA v Rui-Siang Lin (Incognito Market)
Indictment, USA v Banmeet Singh, October 2019

Read the statute: 21 USC § 952

Drug Abuse Prevention: Possession, manufacture, or distribution of controlled substance

Jury Instructions, USA v Hubei Amarvel Biotech et al
Verdict Sheet, USA v Hubei Amarvel Biotech et al
Indictment, USA v Hubei Amarvel Biotech et al
Superseding Indictment, USA v Arden McCann
Indictment, USA v Bhavesh Ranchhodbhai Lathiya and Raxuter Chemicals
Indictment, USA v Athos Chemicals PVT LTD
Indictment, USA v Rui-Siang Lin (Incognito Market)
Indictment, USA v Hubei Aoks Bio-Tech Co and Xuening Gao et al

Read the statute: 21 USC § 959 -

Drug Abuse Prevention: Prohibited acts - Controlled or listed substances

Superseding Indictment, USA v Arden McCann
Indictment, USA v Bhavesh Ranchhodbhai Lathiya and Raxuter Chemicals
Indictment, USA v Athos Chemicals PVT LTD
Indictment, USA v Rui-Siang Lin (Incognito Market)
Indictment, USA v Hubei Aoks Bio-Tech Co and Xuening Gao et al
Indictment, USA v Banmeet Singh, October 2019

Read the statute: 21 USC § 960

Drug Abuse Prevention: Prohibited acts - Pill presses and counterfeit pill dies; using US mail for trafficking

Indictment, USA v CapsulCN International Co Ltd et al
Information, USA v Xaiofei Chen
Report and recommendations of judge upon guilty plea, USA v Xaiofei Chen
Complaint, USA v Xaiofei Chen
Indictment, USA v Xaiofei Chen
Verdict form, USA v Oluwole Adegboruwa et al, June 2024
Second Superseding Indictment, USA v Oluwole Adegboruwa et al, August 2023

Read the statute: 21 USC § 843 

Criminal Charges

Trafficking in counterfeit goods

Indictment, USA v Avanish Kumar Jha and Rajnish Kumar Jha, April 2022
Indictment, USA v Sanjay Kumar

Read the statute: 18 USC § 2320(a)(4)

Smuggling

Indictment, USA v CapsulCN International Co Ltd et al
Indictment, USA v Aaron Michael Thomas and Darren Doil Means, January 17, 2024
Indictment, USA v Avanish Kumar Jha and Rajnish Kumar Jha, April 2022
Complaint, USA v Joey Grant Luther
Indictment, USA v Bhavesh Ranchhodbhai Lathiya and Raxuter Chemicals
Amended Jury Instructions, USA v Rahim Shafa et al, February 2024
Superseding Indictment, USA v Rahim Shafa et al, July 2021
Government’s Sentencing Position, USA v Wayne Moran, March 2018
Criminal Complaint, USA v Wayne Moran, March 2018
Complaint, USA v Isis Navarro Reyes, April 29, 2024

Read the statute: 18 USC § 545

Conspiracy

Indictment, USA v CapsulCN International Co Ltd et al
Indictment, USA v Avanish Kumar Jha and Rajnish Kumar Jha, April 2022
Money Judgment, USA v Rui-Siang Lin (Incognito Market)
Complaint, USA v Rui-Siang Lin (Incognito Market)
Indictment, USA v Rui-Siang Lin (Incognito Market)
Government’s Sentencing Memo, USA v Stephen Silverman
Criminal Complaint, USA v Hakob Kojoyan
Superseding Information, USA v Lorik Papyan
Government’s Sentencing Memo, USA v Hakob Kojoyan
Superseding Indictment, USA v Edvin Ovasapyan, et al

Read the statute: 18 USC § 371

Aiding and abetting

Government’s Sentencing Memo, USA v Hakob Kojoyan
Superseding Indictment, USA v Edvin Ovasapyan, et al
Verdict form, USA v Oluwole Adegboruwa et al, June 2024
Second Superseding Indictment, USA v Oluwole Adegboruwa et al, August 2023
Amended Jury Instructions, USA v Rahim Shafa et al, February 2024
Superseding Indictment, USA v Rahim Shafa et al, July 2021
Government’s Sentencing Position, USA v Wayne Moran, March 2018
Criminal Complaint, USA v Wayne Moran, March 2018
Indictment, USA v Sukhjit Singh Ghuman et al, September 2023
Superseding Indictment, USA v Sukhjit Singh Ghuman et al, October 2023

Read the statute: 18 USC § 2

Mail, wire, attempted/conspiracy fraud

Complaint, USA v Joey Grant Luther
Superseding Information, USA v Lorik Papyan
Government’s Sentencing Memo, USA v Hakob Kojoyan
Superseding Indictment, USA v Edvin Ovasapyan, et al
Amended Jury Instructions, USA v Rahim Shafa et al, February 2024
Superseding Indictment, USA v Rahim Shafa et al, July 2021
Amended Judgment, USA v Nerik Ilyayev, June 2024
Government’s Sentencing Memo, USA v Nerik Ilyayev, April 2024
Information, USA v Nerik Ilyayev, October 2023
Indictment, USA v Adam Brosius, Patrick Boyd and Charles Boyd, June 2024
Government’s Sentencing Memo, USA v Aminov, April 2024
Indictment, USA v Sukhjit Singh Ghuman et al, September 2023
Superseding Indictment, USA v Sukhjit Singh Ghuman et al, October 2023
Superseding Indictment, USA v Aminov, unsealed October 2023
Jury Instructions, USA v Minnesota Independent Cooperative, January 2023

Read the statutes:18 USC § 1341, 1343, and 1349

Theft of medical products

Indictment, USA v Adam Brosius, Patrick Boyd and Charles Boyd, June 2024
Indictment, USA v Steven Diamantstein, June 2023
Factual Basis for Guilty Plea, USA v Lazaro Hernandez, April 2023
Indictment, USA v Lazaro Hernandez, June 2022

Read the statutes: 18 USC § 670

Entry of goods by means of false statement

Plea Agreement, USA v Tien Tan Vo, August 2023
Defendant’s Sentencing Memo, USA v Tien Tan Vo, October 2023
Information, USA v Tien Tan Vo, October 2023
U.S. Sentencing Memo, USA v Tien Tan Vo, October 2023

Read the statute: 18 USC § 542

Health care fraud

Indictment, USA v Sukhjit Singh Ghuman et al, September 2023
Superseding Indictment, USA v Sukhjit Singh Ghuman et al, October 2023
Superseding Indictment, USA v Aminov, unsealed October 2023

Read the statute: 18 USC § 1347

Racketeering

Jury Instructions, USA v Minnesota Independent Cooperative, January 2023
Sentencing Memo, USA v Minnesota Independent Cooperative, March 2023

Read the statute: 18 USC §1962 (d)

Accessory after the fact

Plea Agreement, USA v Tien Tan Vo, August 2023
Defendant’s Sentencing Memo, USA v Tien Tan Vo, October 2023
Information, USA v Tien Tan Vo, October 2023
U.S. Sentencing Memo, USA v Tien Tan Vo, October 2023

Read the statutes: 18 USC § 3

Criminal forfeiture

Indictment, USA v Bhavesh Ranchhodbhai Lathiya and Raxuter Chemicals
Indictment, USA v Rui-Siang Lin (Incognito Market)
Indictment, USA v Hubei Aoks Bio-Tech Co and Xuening Gao et al
Superseding Information, USA v Lorik Papyan
Government’s Sentencing Memo, USA v Hakob Kojoyan
Superseding Indictment, USA v Edvin Ovasapyan, et al
Amended Jury Instructions, USA v Rahim Shafa et al, February 2024
Superseding Indictment, USA v Rahim Shafa et al, July 2021
Indictment, USA v Adam Brosius, Patrick Boyd and Charles Boyd, June 2024
Information, USA v Paul Lamberty, May 2024
Indictment, USA v Sukhjit Singh Ghuman et al, September 2023
Superseding Indictment, USA v Sukhjit Singh Ghuman et al, October 2023
Superseding Indictment, USA v Farace et al, February 2018
Judgment, USA v Farace, January 2024
Plea Agreement, USA v Farace, September 2022

Read the statute: 18 USC § 982

Money laundering

Indictment, USA v CapsulCN International Co Ltd et al
Jury Instructions, USA v Hubei Amarvel Biotech et al
Verdict Sheet, USA v Hubei Amarvel Biotech et al
Indictment, USA v Hubei Amarvel Biotech et al
Plea Agreement, USA v Arden McCann
Superseding Indictment, USA v Arden McCann
Money Judgment, USA v Rui-Siang Lin (Incognito Market)
Complaint, USA v Rui-Siang Lin (Incognito Market)
Indictment, USA v Rui-Siang Lin (Incognito Market)
Indictment, USA v Wuhan Mingyue Information Technology and Huan Huan Song
Indictment,USA v Wuhan Jinshang Import & Export Trading Company and Wenying Nie
Indictment, USA v Hubei Shanglin Trading and Zhihan Wang
Indictment, USA v Shanghai Senria Biotechology Co Ltd and Zhenbo Han
Superseding Information, USA v Lorik Papyan
Government’s Sentencing Memo, USA v Hakob Kojoyan

Read the statute: 18 USC § 1956

Anti-Kickback statute

Superseding Indictment, USA v Aminov, unsealed October 2023

Read the statute: 42 USC § 1320a-7

Filings by document type

Complaint

Complaint, USA v Joey Grant Luther
Complaint, USA v Xaiofei Chen
Complaint, USA v Rui-Siang Lin (Incognito Market)
Criminal Complaint, USA v Hakob Kojoyan
Complaint, USA v Oluwole Adegboruwa, May 2019
Criminal Complaint, USA v Wayne Moran, March 2018
Complaint, USA v Isis Navarro Reyes, April 29, 2024
Complaint, USA v Christopher Housley, April 2022
Criminal Complaint, USA v Benson and Cipriano
Criminal Complaint, USA v Gonzalez, September 2023
Criminal Complaint, USA v Zhu, October 2023
Complaint, USA v Flor Cham, August 2023

Information

Information, USA v Xaiofei Chen
Information, USA v Aaron Michael Thomas, November 21, 2024
Information, USA v Jeremy Brown
Superseding Information, USA v Lorik Papyan
Information, USA v Melissa Bandy, May 2024
Information, USA v Nerik Ilyayev, October 2023
Information, USA v Brandon Adams, September 2023
Information, USA v Paul Lamberty, May 2024
Information, USA v Sherrie McCain, February 2024
Information, USA v Flor Cham, September 2023
Information, USA v Tien Tan Vo, October 2023

Indictments

Indictment, USA v CapsulCN International Co Ltd et al
Indictment, USA v Aaron Michael Thomas and Darren Doil Means, January 17, 2024
Indictment, USA v Avanish Kumar Jha and Rajnish Kumar Jha, April 2022
Indictment, USA v Hubei Amarvel Biotech et al
Superseding Indictment, USA v Arden McCann
Indictment, USA v Xaiofei Chen
Indictment, USA v Bhavesh Ranchhodbhai Lathiya and Raxuter Chemicals
Indictment, USA v Athos Chemicals PVT LTD
Indictment, USA v Rui-Siang Lin (Incognito Market)
Indictment, USA v Hubei Aoks Bio-Tech Co and Xuening Gao et al
Indictment, USA v Wuhan Mingyue Information Technology and Huan Huan Song
Indictment,USA v Wuhan Jinshang Import & Export Trading Company and Wenying Nie
Indictment, USA v Tianjin Furuntongda Tech Co and Wenxing Gao
Indictment, USA v Hubei Shanglin Trading and Zhihan Wang
Indictment, USA v Jiangsu Jiyi Chemical and Ji Zhaohui

Pleas

Report and recommendations of judge upon guilty plea, USA v Xaiofei Chen
Plea Agreement, USA v Aaron Michael Thomas, November 27, 2024
Plea Agreement, USA v Arden McCann
Plea Agreement, USA v Jeremy Brown
Plea Agreement, USA v Flor Cham, November 2023
Plea Agreement, USA v Brandon Adams, September 2023
Plea Agreement, USA v Christopher Housley, October 2023
Plea Agreement, USA v Sherrie McCain, February 2024
Plea Agreement, USA v Farace, October 2018
Plea Agreement, USA v Farace, September 2022
Plea Agreement, USA v Cipriano, October 2023
Plea Agreement, USA v Tien Tan Vo, August 2023
Factual Basis for Guilty Plea, USA v Lazaro Hernandez, April 2023

Judgment

Money Judgment, USA v Rui-Siang Lin (Incognito Market)
Order re: Payment of Restitution, USA v Lorik Papyan
Amended Judgment, USA v Nerik Ilyayev, June 2024
Judgment, USA v Farace, January 2024

Jury Instructions

Amended Jury Instructions, USA v Rahim Shafa et al, February 2024
Jury Instructions, USA v Minnesota Independent Cooperative, January 2023
Jury Instructions, USA v Bruce Holder, April 2021

Sentencing Memos

Government Sentencing Memo, USA v Aaron Michael Thomas, February 24, 2025
Government Sentencing Memo, USA v Arden McCann
Government’s Restitution Memo, USA v Lorik Papyan
Government’s Sentencing Memo, USA v Lorik Papyan
Government’s Sentencing Memo, USA v Stephen Silverman
Government’s Sentencing Memo, USA v Hakob Kojoyan
Government’s Sentencing Position, USA v Wayne Moran, March 2018
Government’s Sentencing Memo, USA v Nerik Ilyayev, April 2024
Defendant’s Sentencing Memo, USA v Christopher Housley, February 2024
Government’s Sentencing Memo, USA v Aminov, April 2024
Government’s Sentencing Memo, USA v Ryan Stabile, February 2024
Defendant’s Sentencing Memo, USA v Ryan Stabile, February 2024
Sentencing Memo, USA v Minnesota Independent Cooperative, March 2023
Defendant’s Sentencing Memo, USA v Tien Tan Vo, October 2023
U.S. Sentencing Memo, USA v Tien Tan Vo, October 2023