A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City indicted Justin Bradley Watkins, a licensed osteopathic physician from Pleasant View, Utah, on Apr. 1 for allegedly receiving and selling misbranded drugs imported from China to his patients.
The case highlights concerns about the distribution of unapproved pharmaceuticals and patient safety. According to court documents, Watkins is accused of obtaining peptides not approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through a middleman between February 2024 and April 2025. The drugs included substances such as Tirzepatide, Semaglutide, Retatrutide, Cagrilinitide, BPC-157, TB500, Ipamorelin, CJC 1295, GHK, GHK-CU, and NAD+.
Prosecutors allege that Watkins purchased these peptides at discounted prices despite knowing they were not supported by proper testing or clinical trials. He is also accused of labeling vials or pill bottles himself before distributing them to clinic staff without including required information about the manufacturer or distributor as mandated by FDA regulations. During this period of alleged fraud, over 200 patients reportedly received these non-FDA-approved substances.
Watkins faces charges including receipt in interstate commerce and delivery for pay of misbranded drugs with intent to defraud or mislead as well as aiding and abetting. His initial court appearance is scheduled for April 22 at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in Salt Lake City before a U.S. Magistrate Judge.
First Assistant United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak announced the indictment. The investigation is being conducted jointly by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI) and the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL). Assistant United States Attorney Mark Y. Hirata will prosecute the case.
Authorities remind that an indictment is only an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
