Nixa Duo, Sildenafil Trafficking, MO 2023

Two Nixa, Missouri residents have pleaded guilty and a Florida man has been indicted in a federal scheme to peddle fake ‘all-natural’ male enhancement supplements laced with sildenafil — the active ingredient in Viagra — without disclosure or legal authorization. The operation, which stretched from China to American doorsteps, netted over $210,000 in illicit gains, according to court documents unsealed in Springfield, Missouri.

John G. Schindele, 41, and Jennifer S. Travis, 45, both of Nixa, waived their right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018, before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush. Each admitted to one count of mail fraud and one count of delivering adulterated or misbranded food. Schindele admitted to pocketing $210,000 from April 16, 2012, to July 8, 2015, while selling Silver Bullet as an ‘all-natural male performance enhancer’ — a lie from the label to the consumer.

Michael S. Schindele, 43, of Jacksonville, Florida, was charged in a two-count indictment returned under seal the same day. The indictment, unsealed upon his arrest and initial court appearance, alleges he operated Executive Image International, a website that sold dietary supplements and drugs directly to the public. Silver Bullet, one of its flagship products, was marketed as ‘Extreme Male Stimulant’ — but contained undisclosed sildenafil, a prescription-only pharmaceutical.

The indictment reveals the product was sourced from a supplier in the People’s Republic of China and shipped across the United States through businesses tied to John Schindele and Travis. Schindele Enterprises, L.L.C. and Midwest Wholesale, both based in Nixa, acted as distribution arms. Kinevative, partially owned and managed by Travis, also pushed adulterated products including Boost Ultra and Magic for Men — falsely advertised as ‘Ultra Sexual Enhancement Formula’ with ‘all natural’ ingredients.

Travis admitted she did not disclose sildenafil in Boost Ultra or Magic for Men, despite federal regulations requiring transparency for prescription-level compounds. Neither she nor the Schindeles were licensed to distribute pharmaceuticals. Federal agents, operating undercover, purchased the products directly from the websites, confirming the false labeling and illegal composition before moving in.

Michael Schindele now faces one count of wire fraud and one count of delivering adulterated or misbranded food. The indictment includes a forfeiture allegation demanding he surrender all proceeds tied to the scheme, including a $47,930 money judgment. Sentencing for the Nixa pair will be determined at a later date, but the fallout from this underground supplement racket exposes a growing black market in counterfeit sexual health products slipping past FDA oversight.