A Garden City physician assistant is facing federal prison after admitting to injecting clients with counterfeit Botox and Juvederm sourced from unauthorized Canadian pharmacies. Joel Erskin, 53, pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court to one count of receiving and dispensing misbranded drugs, a violation of the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
Erskin, who owned and operated Renovo Medical, LLC—also known as University Medical—routinely purchased cheaper, unapproved versions of Botox® and Juvederm® from pharmacies in Canada, according to court documents. The Botox he distributed was misbranded and failed to meet U.S. labeling requirements. The Juvederm was adulterated and not approved for sale or distribution in the United States.
For years, Erskin administered these unregulated substances to clients in Garden City and Scott City as part of his aesthetic services practice. He never disclosed to patients that the drugs were imported, unapproved, or potentially unsafe. Federal prosecutors say the cost-cutting scheme endangered public health and undermined federal drug safety laws.
“These products carry real risks when they’re not regulated, tested, or traceable,” said U.S. Attorney Tom Beall. “Patients trusted this provider with their health, and he violated that trust for profit.”
Erskin now faces up to one year in federal prison and a fine of up to $100,000. Sentencing is scheduled for December 20 in Topeka. If the court imposes the maximum penalty, he will also face supervised release and a permanent criminal record tied to drug safety violations.
The case was investigated by the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanya Treadway prosecuted. Beall commended both for their work uncovering the illicit medical operation hidden behind a legitimate-looking clinic front.
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Key Facts
- State: Kansas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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