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# California Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Etizolam Sales
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/california-man-pleads-guilty-to-illegal-etizolam-sales/
- Published: 2024-09-04T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T14:40:19.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Drugs, #legacy-id-D5157709

The Department of Justice says **Paul Lamberty** of Folsom, CA, pleaded guilty in a Massachusetts federal court to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one count of the introduction of misbranded drugs with the intent to defraud and mislead. A department [statement](https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/press-releases/california-man-pleads-guilty-selling-illegal-depressant-etizolam-over-internet?ref=fdaweb.com) says Lamberty operated Web sites through which he sold the depressant etizolam to customers throughout the U.S.

FDA has not approved etizolam for use as a drug and thus it cannot be sold or prescribed in the U.S., the statement says. Despite the lack of approval, Lamberty bought drugs from suppliers in China, imported them into the U.S., and sold them with false labeling stating they were for research purposes only, the department says.

The charge of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000, while the charge of introducing misbranded drugs carries a sentence of up to three years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000\. Sentencing has been scheduled for 12/13.