Pittsburgh couple plead guilty in federal court to conspiring to distribute steroids
A husband and wife from Pittsburgh with ties to the fitness and bodybuilding industry have pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiring to distribute steroids and other performance enhancers, the government announced.
Thomas Mouton, 34, and Sara Mouton, 36, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan to conspiracy to defraud the United States by selling drugs not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, including steroids and performance enhancers that counteract the side effects of steroid abuse, according to prosecutors.
Investigators say that in 2018 and 2019, the couple conspired with each other and with other people to distribute steroids through the internet and people with whom they were acquainted.
None of the drugs they distributed were approved by the FDA and the defendants were not permitted to distribute the drugs without the approval of the federal agency.
Prosecutors said the substances the Moutons distributed were misbranded and had misleading labeling that did not include an accurate list of the drugs or active ingredients they contained.
The labels also didn’t list where the drugs were manufactured, packed or distributed.
“Thomas and Sara Mouton began by distributing steroids to their associates in the fitness and body building industry, but their business ultimately expanded through word of mouth to serving a couple hundred clients,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman. “Individuals who defraud the FDA will be held accountable for their crimes.”
Special Agent Mark. S. McCormack of the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations said the requirements that prescription drugs are labeled appropriately and approved by the FDA before they are marketed help ensure the health and safety of consumers.
“The FDA will continue to aggressively pursue those who place the public health at risk,” he said.
The Moutons are scheduled to be sentenced in March. They could face five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
Tony LaRussa is a TribLive reporter. A Pittsburgh native, he covers crime and courts in the Alle-Kiski Valley. He can be reached at tlarussa@triblive.com.
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