Sacramento Man Arrested for Importing Counterfeit Drugs

SACRAMENTO—United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced that a federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment charging Zachary Meece Jones, 23, of Sacramento, with trafficking in counterfeit goods.

According to the indictment, Jones imported and distributed counterfeit brandname pharmaceutical drugs. He imported the fake drugs from China and marketed them online in the Sacramento area. The pharmaceuticals included counterfeit Viagra, Cialis, and Adderall.

This case is the product of an undercover investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, assisted by the United States Postal Inspector, the Food and Drug Administration, and Customs and Border Protection. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Morris is prosecuting the case.

Jones was arrested Monday, March 19, 2012 and arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Edmund F. Brennan. He entered a not guilty plea and was released on bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 26, 2012 before United States District Judge Morrison C. England, Jr.

If convicted, Jones faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $2 million fine. The actual sentence, if convicted, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

The charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.