Joey Grant Luther, a Hell’s Kitchen aesthetician, was arrested under charges of wire fraud, smuggling, and related crimes for allegedly injecting clients with counterfeit Botox at his medical spa, JGL Aesthetics, according to an announcement from the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Danielle R. Sassoon. Luther, who lacks the necessary New York State licensing for such procedures, is accused of purchasing the counterfeit product from China and representing it as genuine despite clients reporting adverse effects.
From April 2023 through July 2024, Luther reportedly continued these practices, even after clients fell ill, as stated in the unsealed Complaint. A client, who received multiple treatments from Luther between September 2021 and February 2024, was diagnosed with botulism toxin after experiencing severe symptoms like double vision, and difficulty swallowing, following a treatment in late February 2024. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol seized packages containing significant quantities of counterfeit drugs, including one with a Hong Kong return address, intended for JGL Aesthetics.
Luther allegedly assured concerned clients that side effects were temporary and claimed ignorance of the counterfeit Botox's existence in the U.S., while assuring them that the product came from Allergan, the legitimate manufacturer. Despite seizures by Customs and Border Patrol and complaints by those injected, Luther is said to have continued sourcing and administering the counterfeit Botox. Between March and October 2024, JGL Aesthetics recorded roughly 700 appointments providing Botox-related services, some dating back to January 2021, as per the Complaint.
Luther faces multiple charges carrying potential sentences up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud and smuggling. The U.S. Attorney's Office appreciated the work of the Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and others in this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon C. Thompson is in charge of the prosecution. As noted in the official statement, these allegations are accusations and Luther is considered innocent until proven guilty.
