A federal judge in South Bend, Indiana sentenced Matthew Kawa, the owner of Paradigm Peptides, to nearly six years in prison. Kawa was found guilty of building a substantial business by misleading customers and selling products adulterated with steroids. He pleaded guilty last year to selling unapproved drugs and illegally importing them. This sentencing marks a rare criminal penalty for sellers in the largely unregulated marketplace of peptides labeled ‘for research use.’
During sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Cristal Brisco told Kawa, ‘You focused on what you wanted to build instead of thinking about the people,’ emphasizing that he ignored regulatory warnings and caused significant harm. Prosecutors estimated Paradigm had 54,000 customers in the U.S. and 80 other countries. Kawa forfeited $5 million in business proceeds.
Kawa, wearing a gray suit in court, admitted that customers relied on false statements about product quality. ‘I’m deeply sorry I betrayed that trust,’ he stated, acknowledging his failure to adhere to the law. Kawa declined further comment after sentencing.
Before its closure in March 2024, Paradigm advertised its products as American-made, 99% pure, and third-party tested, with a ‘for research use only’ disclaimer. However, court documents revealed the company imported products from countries like China and India, with forged lab certificates. Government tests confirmed six compounds, advertised to mimic testosterone, contained actual testosterone, a regulated steroid.
Paradigm’s business strategy involved claiming products were for research use. Yet, Kawa admitted during his guilty plea that products were marketed for human consumption. His sister, Jennifer Stechkober, also sentenced to 16 months, played an integral role in the business.
U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred hoped the sentencing would deter similar conduct.
Peptides, chains of amino acids, are popular for purported health benefits like weight loss and increased muscle. Despite lacking FDA approval, they’re often prescribed by healthcare professionals. FDA has issued warnings about associated health risks.
Paradigm also sold SARMs, labeled as dietary supplements, leading customers, including Dan Murphy, to assume they were safe. Murphy, a marketing consultant, began using SARMs in 2023 and initially experienced boosted energy. However, prolonged use led to severe side effects, including insomnia, paranoia, and extreme mood changes.
His suspicions grew when he received a U.S. Department of Justice letter in 2025 detailing Paradigm’s misrepresentation of products as SARMs when they contained testosterone. Independently tested, the SARMs confirmed testosterone presence, corroborating Murphy’s experiences.
Murphy, now suing Paradigm, was diagnosed with ‘steroid-induced psychosis’ by Erik Messamore. He expressed that receiving the letter provided clarity on his ordeal.
Prosecutors aim to deter similar behaviors in the peptide industry, though legal experts question the lasting impact. Notably, discussion persists about peptide accessibility, with figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. supporting wider consumer access. Despite Paradigm’s shutdown, similarly named websites continue to sell comparable products.