Yaoi Press Publisher Indicted on Federal Mail Fraud and False Advetisement Charges (Updated)

According to the Las Vegas Sun, Yaoi Press publisher Yamila Abraham was arrested on Monday morning and indicted on seven counts of mail fraud, one count of misbranding a drug and one count of introducing goods into domestic commerce by means of false statement and criminal forfeiture.

The indictment details the website she is claimed to have operated in 2006, www.Pleasureherbs.com, which offered for sale “herbal” alternatives to recreational street drugs, including a product known as “Snurf.” The site stated that “Snurf” “is the long awaited pill form of 10X extractions of Fevizia, Palenzia and De la Amazon. Each tablet contains 500 mg of these herbal extracts per pill.”

The indictment alleges that the pills sold were no more than 500mg tabs of dextromethorphan hydrobromide (DXM), which is a stimulant and the active ingredient in cough syrup, which is commonly abused by teenagers and young adults as a mid level hallucinogen and is also a common component of methamphetamine, but in high dosages such as the above can cause cardiac and respiratory arrest.

If convicted, Abraham faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each mail fraud count, up to one year in prison and a $250,000 fine on drug misbranding, and up to two years in prison and a $250,000 fine on introducing goods into commerce by false statements. In addition, the government seeks forfeiture of properties from Abraham from the proceeds of the crimes up to $186,680, as well as 20,000 tablets of DXM and any equipment used by her to make counterfeit drugs.

Abraham has not denied the charges, simply stating that the Las Vegas Sun is “sloppy and inaccurate” in regards to the initial report, although she does give a testimonial on sticker design for Pleasureherbs on StickyBusiness and has now reacted to the report on the Yaoi Press blog asking for support and understanding.

Update: According to ANN, Yamila Abraham has entered a not guilty plea in the case, with the trial beginning in November.