Four members of a Florida family have been sentenced to prison after being convicted on fraud charges for selling bleach as a cure for COVID-19. Mark Grenon, 66, and his son Joseph Grenon, 36, who had fled to Colombia after charges were initially announced, were each sentenced to the maximum of five years behind bars. The sentencing agreement was reached between the US and Colombia during their extradition. Mark Grenon's other two sons, Jonathan Grenon, 37, and Jordan Grenon, 29, were each sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for conspiracy and contempt for attempting to defraud the United States by distributing an unapproved and misbranded drug.

The case against the Grenon family revolved around their sale of "Miracle Mineral Solution" (MMS), a chemical solution that would turn into bleach when ingested orally. The solution, typically used for industrial water treatment and bleaching textiles, pulp, and paper, was marketed by the family as a treatment and cure for COVID-19. They claimed that ingesting MMS could also treat and prevent numerous other diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and AIDS.

Operating out of the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing, a fake house of worship they created to evade government regulation, the family sold the faux COVID-19 cure by requiring patients to make donations to the church. These donations were set at specific amounts, acting as sales prices, and resulted in the Grenon family making more than $1 million from their scheme.

The Grenons' fraudulent activities came to the attention of authorities, and court orders were obtained to halt the production of the fake cure. However, the family willfully violated these court orders and continued distributing MMS. Prosecutors accused the family of never showing remorse for their actions and even threatening violence, claiming they would "pick up guns" and instigate a “Waco” if the government enforced the stoppage.

During their trial, which took place in the summer, the Grenon family represented themselves. However, they were found guilty by a federal judge after a two-day trial. The judge described them as "con men" and "snake-oil salesmen." Prosecutors revealed that the family's videos marketed MMS as a cure for a wide range of diseases, including COVID-19, despite the FDA not approving MMS for any use, let alone treating COVID-19.

The FDA strongly advised against purchasing or using MMS, stating that drinking it was equivalent to drinking bleach and could cause severe side effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, and life-threatening low blood pressure. The agency had received reports of individuals requiring hospitalization, developing life-threatening conditions, and even dying after consuming MMS.

In 2020, a Miami federal judge ordered the church to cease selling the dangerous substance. However, the Grenons ignored the order. During the trial, the jury was shown evidence of a dirty and rundown shed in Jonathan Grenon's backyard, where the defendants manufactured MMS. The shed contained numerous blue chemical drums filled with nearly 10,000 pounds of sodium chlorite powder, thousands of bottles of MMS, and other materials related to the production and distribution of the dangerous substance.

Despite calling themselves a "non-religious church," Genesis II Church of Health and Healing was purely a front for the illegal sale of MMS. Mark Grenon, one of the co-founders of Genesis, openly admitted that the church had nothing to do with religion and was solely created to legalize the use of MMS and evade legal consequences.

At the sentencing hearing, Assistant US Attorney Michael Homer emphasized that the defendants had preyed on vulnerable populations. However, Mark Grenon argued that he was a victim himself, claiming he had spent over 1,000 days in jail and accusing the government of “kidnapping” him. He demanded compensation of $5.76 million for being "held unlawfully." The judge dismissed Grenon's request as nonsensical and refused to entertain the question.

The Grenon family's fraudulent actions have led to their imprisonment, putting an end to their dangerous and deceitful operation. Their conviction serves as a warning to those who seek to profit from vulnerable individuals during times of crisis, highlighting the severe consequences that await those who exploit public health concerns for personal gain.