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FORT MYERS — Former Fort Myers dietary supplement company president Derek Vest was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for introducing misbranded food into interstate commerce, according to a statement from acting U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow.
U.S. District Judge Sheri Chappell sentenced Vest, 52. According to the press release, the court also entered a $2.5 million money judgment — the proceeds obtained as a result of the offense. Vest pleaded guilty March 29.
From at least April 2013 to November 2014, Vest was president of Gentech Pharmaceutical. Gentech was a Fort Myers dietary supplement sales, marketing and distribution facility. There, Vest oversaw purported dietary supplements such as AddTabz, PhenTabz and PhenTabz-Teen. The supplements were sold online, in stores and at kiosks. AddTabz were marketed as mental focus and performance tablets. PhenTabz and PhenTabz-Teen were marketed as weight loss tablets.
Vest also authorized the amphetamine derivative DMAA to be used in various company products, including AddTabz, PhenTabz and PhenTabz-Teen. DMAA was not included on product labeling. More than two million misbranded tablets were sold and shipped to consumers, authorities say.
The Food and Drug Administration investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Yolande Viacava prosecuted the case.
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