Matthew Kawa, founder of Paradigm Peptides, was sentenced to 70 months in prison after pleading guilty to selling unapproved and steroid-adulterated products that tests showed contained testosterone. Paradigm reportedly served about 54,000 customers across all 50 states and roughly 80 countries; Kawa agreed to forfeit $5 million. His sister received 16 months in prison, and victims described severe physical and psychiatric harms, including a diagnosis of steroid-induced psychosis. Regulators and legal experts warn enforcement will be difficult as lookalike sites and pressure to broaden peptide access persist.
Paradigm Peptides Owner Sentenced to 70 Months After Selling Steroid-Adulterated Products
Matthew Kawa, who ran Paradigm Peptides, pleaded guilty to selling unapproved drugs and illegally importing them from abroad. / Credit: CBS News
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — A federal judge on Thursday sentenced Matthew Kawa, the founder of Paradigm Peptides, to 70 months in prison after finding he built a large business by deceiving customers and distributing products adulterated with testosterone and other controlled substances.
Sentence, Charges and Forfeiture
Kawa, 48, pleaded guilty last year to selling unapproved drugs and illegally importing them from overseas. Prosecutors say Paradigm served roughly 54,000 unique customers across all 50 U.S. states and about 80 countries. As part of his case, Kawa agreed to forfeit $5 million in proceeds from the business.
U.S. District Judge Cristal Brisco: "You focused on what you wanted to build instead of thinking about the people." The judge added that Kawa ignored "numerous warnings" and left "an incredible trail of harm."
How the Scheme Worked
Paradigm marketed products that looked like many online peptide vendors: claiming U.S. manufacture, advertising 99% purity, citing third-party testing, and labeling items as "for research use only." Court filings say the reality was different. The company imported products from suppliers in China, India and elsewhere, and employees forged lab certificates to make materials appear legitimate.
When government laboratories tested six compounds sold to mimic testosterone, all six were found to contain actual testosterone — a steroid subject to strict regulation because of serious health risks.
Dan Murphy, seen here with his wife Laura, is suing Paradigm Peptides over SARMs that he says tested positive for testosterone. / Credit: Courtesy of Murphy family
Employees and Co-Defendant
Kawa's sister, Jennifer Stechkober, 32, pleaded guilty and received a 16-month prison sentence. The judge said Stechkober was not the mastermind but played an integral role in running Paradigm and in making false statements about the products.
Victim Accounts and Health Harms
Customers said they were misled by the research-use disclaimers and by labels that suggested supplement-like safety. One customer, Dan Murphy, told the court he began using Paradigm's products in 2023 and later experienced severe physical and psychiatric effects — including insomnia, cystic acne, paranoia and grandiosity. After independent testing of a retained bottle, Murphy learned the product contained testosterone, and a medical expert diagnosed him with steroid-induced psychosis. Murphy has sued Paradigm; Kawa is contesting the lawsuit.
Products Involved: Peptides, SARMs and FDA Context
In addition to peptides, Paradigm sold SARMs (selective androgen receptor modulators) and labeled some items as dietary supplements. The FDA has warned that SARMs can increase risks of heart problems and psychiatric side effects. The case comes amid regulatory debate: an independent advisory committee recently recommended expanding access to certain peptides, including BPC-157, one of the compounds tied to Kawa's charges.
Aftermath and Industry Risks
Prosecutors said they hope the prison terms deter others in the largely unregulated market that uses "research-use-only" disclaimers. Legal experts warn enforcement faces ongoing challenges: lookalike websites and copycat vendors have appeared, some with packaging and claims similar to the former Paradigm brand. One such site denied any affiliation but said it would redesign elements that resemble prior branding if concerns persisted.
What To Watch
Consumers should be cautious about products marketed online as "research use only" or labeled as supplements when they claim potent hormone-like effects. Independent testing, medical consultation, and skepticism toward unverifiable purity claims remain critical.
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