ST. LOUIS — A Rochester, New York, man was sentenced Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, to 54 months in federal prison for selling counterfeit Xanax on the dark web, both before and after his indictment.
U.S. District Court Judge Audrey G. Fleissig handed down the sentence to 31-year-old John Cruz, who pleaded guilty twice to conspiracy to misbrand, introduce misbranded drugs, and sell counterfeit drugs. Cruz admitted to purchasing counterfeit Xanax, an anti-anxiety medication, on the darknet and reselling it from at least October 2019 through May 2021. He also acknowledged operating a darknet website offering four types of counterfeit or misbranded pills while out on bond following his initial guilty plea in November 2023.
“I hope you understand that you put people’s lives at risk,” Judge Fleissig told Cruz during the sentencing hearing in St. Louis.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John Ware characterized Cruz’s continued illegal sales as demonstrating “arrogance,” a “lack of remorse” and “deliberate anti-social behavior.”
Investigators seized $145,502 in cryptocurrency from an account Cruz held in Monero, which represented proceeds from his illicit pill sales. Cruz has agreed to forfeit the funds.
“Any medication purchased online should be considered suspicious,” said DEA St. Louis Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Davis. “More often than not, those selling these drugs, including repeat offender John Cruz, are fully aware that the product they’re pushing is counterfeit and often laced with fentanyl. Cruz is a threat not only to our St. Louis communities, but to anyone who has a computer and access to the dark web. Let today’s sentencing serve as a reminder that prescription medications should only be filled by a licensed pharmacist, not bought online from unknown and unreliable sources.”
Ruth Mendonça, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Chicago Division, which includes the St. Louis Domicile Office, emphasized the role of postal inspectors in the investigation.
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is charged with defending the nation’s mail system from illegal use. With the collaborative efforts of our federal law enforcement partners, Postal Inspectors investigate those utilizing the U.S. Mail for illicit activities, including the distribution of narcotics. Today’s sentencing reflects the diligent investigative work by Postal Inspectors, and our law enforcement partners,” Mendonça said.
The case was investigated by the FBI, DEA, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Ware and Kyle Bateman prosecuted the case.
