Federal prosecutors in the Bay Area announced that a Michigan man has been charged with wire fraud for using the internet to sell what authorities say were non-existent N95 masks for coronavirus protection.
A criminal complaint was filed in federal court in San Francisco on Friday against Rodney Stevenson II, 24, and was unsealed on Tuesday following his arrest at his home in Muskegon, Michigan.
The complaint alleges Stevenson fraudulently sold masks that were never delivered to three Bay Area victims.
The buyers, who included one non-medical hospital employee, allegedly each paid Stevenson amounts ranging from $120 to $450 for orders of between four and 15 masks they intended to use for themselves and family members.
Three buyers received nothing and the fourth victim from Staten Island received an envelope containing cheaply made fabric masks rather than protective N95 masks, the complaint alleges.
If convicted of the wire fraud charge, Stevenson could face up to 30 years in prison.
Stevenson had an initial appearance before a federal magistrate in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Tuesday, and was released on bond. His next scheduled appearance is a preliminary hearing in that court on May 18, according to U.S. Attorney’s Office spokesman Abraham Simmons.
So, $30 each? Wow. If he delivered the masks as promised would that still be legal? I thought there was a price gouging law?
@anonymous – This article is only about charges filed in the federal court in San Francisco.
Google finds that he was already being investigated by the Michigan Attorney General for price-gouging. You apparently need some sort of approval from the FDA to sell N95 masks. He did not have that and an investigation is under way. You also need to provide some sort of certification about N95 masks which this guy did not have. It’s not clear which agency deals with enforcing that rule.
In summary, if you are thinking about selling N95 masks as a sideline then plan on dealing with red tape. Maybe you can get away with selling them at rural intersections alongside vendors of bright neon paintings on black velvet, “Persian rugs,” and fireworks.
Unmasked?
$120 for four masks?
Who’d spend that kind of money for a mask?
Panicked people?
I guess if Stevenson had delivered real N95 masks there’d be no complaint.
I recommend zero tolerance for these types of crimes. Society doesn’t need these people.
Price gouging? I have been getting emails for N95, 70% off of $99 ($33.00) but you have to buy multiples in order to get the deal. 1 will cost $57.00. Such a deal.
Look and article we can all come together and agree upon!!
Everyone, get in here and shame this man
He’s a good guy. Just misunderstood. He was going to college. He was just out of stock and would mail them…eventually. Everyone loved him and he brought a smile to anyone he spoke to! (Sarcasm)
Dunk him in the lakes and paddle his ungunga !!