A Folsom, California resident, Paul Z. Lamberty, has admitted to running an illegal online operation selling the non-FDA approved depressant Etizolam to customers across the country, the Justice Department announced yesterday. In a federal court, Lamberty pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy to defraud the United States and introduction of misbranded drugs.
Lamberty's shady business utilized the internet as its marketplace, where he managed websites like Encern.com and Ohmod.com to move his product which, the authorities said, were purchased from suppliers in China and falsely promoted as "For Research Purposes Only" and "Not for Human Consumption." Such subterfuge allowed Lamberty to reap over $550,000 in gross sales, a fact unveiled by an analysis, of bank and cryptocurrency records, as reported by the Justice Department.
According to a press release by the Department of Justice, Etizolam is related to benzodiazepines – a group of drugs known for their use in treating conditions like anxiety and insomnia but notorious for their risk of dependency and overdose, especially when combined with other depressants. The enigmatic substances were delivered to clients using U.S. Priority Mail.
Embedded within this act of deceit are serious consequences for Lamberty. His plea agreement outlines potential sentencing for conspiracy that could see him facing up to five years in prison, whereas the misbranded drugs charge carries a possible three-year prison term. Both counts also come with hefty fines, reaching up to $250,000. The U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV has set Lamberty's sentencing for December 13.
The case against Lamberty was brought forward by Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy along with the concerted efforts of the FDA's Office of Criminal Investigations and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared C. Dolan and Lauren A. Graber of the Criminal Division are the lead prosecutors.
