CEDAR HILLS, UT – Gordon Hunter Pedersen, 63, is finally behind bars after a three-year run from federal charges. The Utah resident allegedly swindled desperate people during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, hawking a worthless “structural alkaline silver” as a cure-all. Federal agents collared Pedersen in Utah County on July 5, 2023, after a warrant for his arrest was issued back in August 2020.
Pedersen isn’t accused of just selling snake oil; he’s facing serious federal felonies: mail fraud, wire fraud, and introducing misbranded drugs into interstate commerce with the intent to defraud. Court filings paint a picture of a con man preying on fear. He claimed his silver concoction worked by “vibrating” at a frequency that obliterated the coronavirus – a claim made before vaccines were available and when people were legitimately terrified.
The scam went beyond the bogus cure itself. Pedersen actively misrepresented himself as a legitimate medical professional. He flaunted a fake title of “board-certified Anti-Aging Medical Doctor” in YouTube videos, using the platform to build trust and reel in customers. He also falsely asserted he held PhDs in immunology and Naturopathic Medicine, further bolstering his fraudulent credibility.
Federal prosecutors are now building their case, and a civil suit is also underway. The FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the FBI all contributed to the investigation, highlighting the scope of the alleged fraud. This wasn’t a small-time operation; it was a calculated attempt to profit from a public health crisis.
Pedersen is scheduled to appear in court on August 15, 2023, at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in Salt Lake City. U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins announced the arrest, but emphasized that an indictment is not a conviction. Pedersen maintains his right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of misinformation and the lengths to which some will go to exploit vulnerable individuals. The feds are sending a clear message: peddling false cures, especially during a pandemic, will not be tolerated. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the proceedings.
RELATED: Fake Doctor Nabbed After 3-Year Run From COVID Cure Scam
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