HARRISBURG — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle), published as received.

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Stefen Knoche, age 55, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 70 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo for trafficking in counterfeit drugs.  Knoche was also ordered to pay $3,648,911.18 in restitution.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Knoche previously admitted that he intentionally trafficked drugs knowing them to contain counterfeit marks of pharmaceutical manufacturers Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Bayer AG, Eli Lilly and Company, and Roche Holding AG between May 2017 and April 2018.  Knoche further acknowledged that he trafficked counterfeit Viagra, Aurogra, Xanax, Levitra, Cialis, and Valium, all using counterfeit trademarks of their respective pharmaceutical companies.

“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service continues to prioritize eliminating contraband to include illegal prescription drugs from the U.S. Mail,” said Inspector in Charge Damon Wood, U.S. Postal Inspection Service Philadelphia Division. “We are committed to bringing all members of illegal drug trafficking organizations who utilize the U.S. Mail to justice.”

“Selling illegal prescription drugs in the U.S. marketplace puts consumers’ health at risk,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark S. McCormack, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Metro Washington Field Office.  “The FDA remains fully committed to disrupting and dismantling illegal prescription drug distribution networks that misuse the internet at the expense of public health and safety.”

“Today’s sentence demonstrates what can be accomplished when the Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations, combine resources to investigate and apprehend criminals whose illicit actions harm Americans,” said Brian A. Michael, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations Philadelphia.  “Together we are committed to pursuing justice by investigating, dismantling, prosecuting criminals like the defendant to the fullest extent of the law.”

The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations; and Homeland Security Investigations.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli and former Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. Clancy prosecuted the case.

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