Related Federal Cases
Tampa Bay Man Sentenced to 13 Years for Product Tampering
Tampa, Florida – In a shocking case of product tampering, John Andrew Welden, a 29-year-old Tampa Bay resident, was sentenced to 13 years and 8 months in federal prison for tampering with a consumer product resulting in bodily injury to the victim, Remee Lee, and for conspiracy to commit mail fraud.
On March 29, 2013, Welden obtained and tampered with Cytotec pills by removing the identifying information from the pills. He then gave the pills to Lee, in a pill bottle, with a label falsely describing the pills as Amoxicillin. Shortly after taking one of the Cytotec pills, Lee began experiencing severe cramping and bleeding. Thereafter, her baby died.
Welden pleaded guilty on September 9, 2013, and was subsequently sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard A. Lazzara. Welden was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $28,541, with respect to the injuries suffered by the victim, and to serve a 3-year term of supervised release, following his incarceration.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys W. Stephen Muldrow and Josephine W. Thomas.
Welden was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment on the consumer product offense and 44 months in prison on the mail fraud charge, to be served consecutively. The court’s decision marks a significant victory for justice in the Tampa Bay area.
Defendant: John Andrew Welden
Criminal Charges: Tampering with a consumer product resulting in bodily injury to the victim, and conspiracy to commit mail fraud
City and State: Tampa, Florida
Exact Date: March 29, 2013 (date of crime), September 9, 2013 (guilty plea), and January 8-9, 2014 (jury verdict)
Sentence or Outcome: 13 years and 8 months in federal prison, with 10 years for consumer product offense and 44 months for mail fraud charge, to be served consecutively, and a 3-year term of supervised release
Dollar Amounts: $28,541 (restitution), 44 months (prison sentence for mail fraud charge)
According to court documents, Welden’s actions resulted in the death of an unborn child and severe bodily injury to the victim, Remee Lee.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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