A New York aesthetician was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly purchasing counterfeit Botox from China and injecting it into patients without holding the required medical license, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York.
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Joey Grant Luther, 54, owner of JGL Aesthetics in Hell’s Kitchen, faces charges including wire fraud, smuggling, and the use of misbranded and counterfeit drugs. Prosecutors revealed that none of the Botox used by Luther was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
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“As alleged, Joey Grant Luther, who does not possess the licensing required by New York State to perform injections of Botox, knowingly purchased counterfeit Botox from China, injected it into his clients, and represented that the counterfeit Botox that he was peddling was genuine,” said U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon in a statement.
Luther allegedly continued administering the counterfeit Botox injections even after clients reported falling ill or experiencing unusual symptoms. According to prosecutors, he assured patients that any adverse effects were temporary and falsely claimed that the product was from Allergan, the genuine manufacturer of Botox.
“Luther’s disregard for the health of his clients put all of his victims in harm’s way and, in some cases, caused life-threatening injuries,” Sassoon added.
Severe Health Complications Reported
The criminal complaint revealed that the investigation into Luther began after a patient reported experiencing alarming symptoms, including double vision, heart palpitations, and upper body weakness, following a Botox injection at JGL Aesthetics. The patient required visits to three hospitals before being diagnosed with Botulism toxin poisoning in March 2024.
Further investigation uncovered that Customs and Border Protection intercepted parcels addressed to JGL Aesthetics, which contained significant quantities of counterfeit drugs, including unapproved Botox.
Luther was scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Cave late Wednesday. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.
At this time, it is unclear if Luther has retained an attorney to comment on his behalf.
Broader Context
The arrest comes on the heels of an investigation launched by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FDA last year after 19 individuals across nine states reported severe adverse effects from counterfeit Botox injections.
