Authorities from multiple agencies raided the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing in Bradenton, Florida, accusing four men of selling what they called a "Miracle Mineral Solution" as a cure for coronavirus. Their "cure" consisted of sodium chlorite and water. When ingested orally, the solution becomes chlorine dioxide, which is an industrial-strength bleach.
Investigators in hazmat suits searched the church and found 50 gallons of muriatic acid, 8,300 pounds of sodium chlorite, and 22 gallons of the "Miracle Mineral Solution."
Mark Grenon, 62, and his sons, Jonathan Grenon, 34, Joseph Grenon, 32, and Jordan Grenon, 26, were taken into custody and are facing charges of conspiracy to defraud, conspiracy to violate the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, and criminal contempt.
A judge ordered all of the "Miracle Mineral Solution" to be destroyed and said the church must notify every person who purchased the cure and inform them that it was sold illegally.
Prosecutors said that the Grenons created the church as a way to avoid government scrutiny over their miracle cure. Over the years, prosecutors said they sold more than 10,000 bottles, claiming the solution was a "miracle cure-all for dozens of other serious diseases and disorders, including cancer, Alzheimer's, autism, multiple sclerosis, and HIV/AIDS."
"The Genesis II Church of Health and Healing has actively and deliberately placed consumers at risk with their fraudulent Miracle Mineral Solution, and Americans expect and deserve medical treatments that have been scientifically proven to be safe and effective," Catherine Hermsen, assistant commissioner of the FDA's Office of Criminal Investigations said.
Photo: WTSP-TV