Coram man pleads guilty to selling illegal skin tanning drug

A Coram man pleaded guilty Friday to illegally selling a popular underground drug used for skin tanning that is banned in the United States.

Michael Settineri, 38, admitted in federal court in Central Islip that he set up an online business in 2013 in his home from which he sold the drug, Melanotan II.

The drug is banned in this country because its safety has not been assessed through clinical trials.

Settineri, who was charged after an investigation by criminal agents of the federal Food and Drug Administration, pleaded guilty to one felony count of introducing misbranded drugs into interstate commerce.

Eastern District federal prosecutor Charles Kelly said that Settineri netted thousands of dollars selling a kit containing Melanotan II and hypodermic syringes, but without instructions on how to use the drug, apparently thinking that would shield him from prosecution.

Settineri's attorneys, Rick Collins and Marc Gann of Mineola, declined to comment on the case, as did prosecutor Kelly.

Researchers have documented the tanning properties of the drug, but no company has applied to sell it legally in the United States.

Collins said he believed that was because the drug, which must be injected, probably has a limited legal commercial market. The procedures and trials required for FDA approval could cost up to $800 million, he said.

U.S. District Judge Joseph Bianco released Settineri on $100,000 bond, pending sentencing.

Settineri faces up to 3 years in prison, but sentencing guidelines call for eight months.

By Robert E. Kessler

Robert.Kessler@newsday.com

Bob Kessler covers federal law, including law enforcement agencies such as the FBI, DEA, IRS and ATF, as well as the federal courts.