Coronavirus: Doctor charged with fraud for selling 'miracle cure' touted by Trump

Jennings Ryan Staley denies the charges and could face 20 years in prison if found guilty

A California doctor has been charged with fraud for allegedly selling "Covid-19 Treatment Packs" he claimed could be a "miracle cure" for people who contract the novel virus.

Jennings Ryan Staley, 44, of San Diego, who runs Skinny Beach Med Spa, was arrested on Thursday for mail fraud, according to the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California.

The FBI received a tip about the treatment packs being sold by the med spa after the business sent emails advertising them in March, and the doctor allegedly tried to sell one to an undercover agent.

The treatment packs included medications like hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin, which have been boasted by the likes of the president to potentially treat the coronavirus.

Health experts have warned sufficient evidence is still not available on the benefits the drug combination could have for Covid-19 patients. The drug combo has a known side effect of causing heart arrhythmias in some patients.

Also included with the treatment pack was access to Dr Staley for any 'anti-anxiety treatments' that would help buyers avoid panic during the pandemic. These packs retailed at $3,995 for a family of four.

When speaking to the undercover FBI agent, Dr Staley allegedly described the medication as a "miracle cure" that would cure "100 per cent" of the novel virus.

"You're immune for at least six weeks," he claimed. The medication was also referred to as a "magic bullet".

"If I'm hearing you right, if I buy these kits from you, then that's going to pretty much guarantee that neither my kids, my dad, my wife, any of us get sick, and if we are, it's going to cure us right?" the doctor was asked by the agent on a phone call, according to the criminal complaint obtained by BuzzFeed News.

Dr Stanley said he "guaranteed" the agent's family would not get sick.

"We will not tolerate Covid-19 fraudsters who try to profit and take advantage of the pandemic fear to cheat, steal and harm others," US Attorney Robert Brewer, Jr. said. "Rest assured: those who engage in this despicable conduct will find themselves in the crosshairs of federal prosecutors."

The man has since denied he made any of those guarantees when speaking to the undercover agent.

Deputy Attorney Rob Huie called the doctor a danger to the public during the initial hearing, which was held over the phone. He asked for $100,000 surety bond for the doctor to remain free during this time

Dr Staley's lawyer Patrick Griffin has said the situation has been "a bit sensationalised" and his client was not a threat to the public. Also the lawyer said the doctor acquired the drugs he's accused of selling from a pharmacy.

"Our case is not about the doctor touting drugs," Mr Huie told the New York Times. "It's not about whether drugs are good or bad, it's about him telling patients, telling would-be customers, in an effort to sell his services, that what he's offering is a 100 percent cure and it confers temporary immunity."

If charged, Dr Staley could face up to 20 years in prison.