Michael Schindele, Dietary Supplement Scheme, Missouri 2018

GRIMY TIMES EXCLUSIVE

A Florida man has been indicted in a scheme to market dietary supplements that contained a synthetic pharmaceutical ingredient, while two Missouri residents have pleaded guilty to their roles in the scam.

According to court documents, Michael S. Schindele, 43, of Jacksonville, Florida, was charged in a two-count indictment with wire fraud and delivering adulterated or misbranded food. The indictment alleges that Schindele worked through businesses owned and operated by his brother, John G. Schindele, 41, of Nixa, Mo., and Jennifer S. Travis, 45, of Nixa, Mo., to sell dietary supplements that claimed to contain only all-natural ingredients.

Schindele marketed Silver Bullet as an “all-natural male performance enhancer,” an “Extreme Male Stimulant,” and a “dietary supplement.” In reality, Silver Bullet contained sildenafil, a synthetic pharmaceutical ingredient that was not disclosed to consumers purchasing the product. Sildenafil is the active pharmaceutical that is commonly used in the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra.

The indictment charges Schindele with one count of wire fraud and one count of delivering adulterated or misbranded food. It also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require Schindele to forfeit to the government all property derived from the proceeds of the offense, including a money judgment of $47,930.

John Schindele, who pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud and one count of delivering adulterated or misbranded food, admitted that he marketed Silver Bullet as an “all-natural male performance enhancer,” and a “dietary supplement” and failed to disclose that sildenafil was an ingredient. According to his plea agreement, John Schindele fraudulently received $210,000 for the misrepresented and mislabeled dietary supplements from April 16, 2012, to July 8, 2015.

Travis, who also pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud and one count of delivering adulterated or misbranded food, marketed products known as Boost Ultra and Magic for Men as an “Ultra Sexual Enhancement Formula.” The products were advertised as dietary supplements, and the label listed the contents as “all natural.” Travis admitted that she failed to disclose that Boost Ultra and Magic for Men also contained sildenafil.

The indictment alleges that Silver Bullet was purchased and shipped from a supplier in the People’s Republic of China, then resold by Schindele and others to consumers throughout the United States.

The case is a stark reminder of the dangers of dietary supplements that contain hidden active ingredients. “These crimes demonstrate the importance of protecting consumers from unscrupulous business practices,” said Timothy A. Garrison, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri.

Grimy Times will continue to investigate this and other dietary supplement schemes. If you have any information, please contact us at grimytimes@grimytimes.com.