May 12, 2016: Windsor Mill Woman Indicted for Allegedly Injecting Non-Medical Grade Silicone into the Bodies of Victim Customers
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U.S. Department of Justice Press Release
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For Immediate Release |
United States Department of Justice District of Maryland |
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Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury indicted Kendra Westmoreland, age 54, of Windsor Mill, Maryland, on charges of receiving and delivering an adulterated or misbranded device, in connection with her alleged receipt and use of Polydimethylsiloxane which she misrepresented as medical grade silicone. The indictment was returned on May 11, 2016.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Mark McCormack of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations’ Metro Washington Field Office; and Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department.
According to the indictment, from October 2000 through October 4, 2015, Westmoreland received polydimethylsiloxane, a silicon-based organic polymer, from China that she injected directly into the bodies of victim customers for money or some other payment. When used in this fashion, liquid silicone is a medical device subject to the regulation of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Polydimethylsiloxane is not approved, exclusively or as a component, for body-contouring. Polydimethylsiloxane is used in the manufacture of shampoos (to make hair shiny and slippery), food (as an antifoaming agent), caulking, lubricants, kinetic sand, and heat-resistant tiles.
The indictment alleges that Westmoreland intentionally defrauded and misled individuals by representing polydimethylsiloxane as “medical grade” silicone and approved for injecting directly into the human body. As a result of her representations, victim customers came to her residence in Windsor Mill to have polydimethylsiloxane injected directly into their buttocks and other places on their bodies, for larger and fuller buttocks or to shape other areas of their bodies. Westmoreland also traveled to Miami, Florida, and other locations, for the same purpose. According to the indictment, Westmoreland stored the polydimethylsiloxone in a plastic container that was not properly labeled for medical use, nor was Westmoreland a licensed medical practitioner or under the supervision of a licensed medical practitioner.
If convicted, Westmoreland faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison. An initial appearance is expected to be scheduled soon in U.S. District Court in Baltimore.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended FDA Office of Criminal Investigations and Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Judson T. Mihok, who is prosecuting the case
Topic:
Consumer Protection