Alkyl Nitrites Cases

United States v. Brett Sandy
Court Docket No.: 26-cr-00207-RP

United States v. Hugo Sanchez
Court Docket No.: 26-cr-00229-RP

Overview

This webpage has been developed to provide information and updates to anyone who may have purchased or otherwise been impacted by volatile alkyl nitrites sold by Double-Scorpio between January 2019 through February 2025.

Court Assigned: These cases are assigned to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, US Courthouse and Federal Building, 501 West 5th Street before Judge David Alan Ezra.  

Latest Updates:

The sentencing hearings as to defendants Hugo Sanchez and Brett Sandy previously set for September 2, 2026 and September 10, 2026, respectfully, have been reset for December 1, 2026 at 9:00 AM before Judge David A. Ezra.

On May 26, 2026, defendant Hugo Sanchez pled guilty to count 1 of the Information, conspiracy to violate the Consumer Product Safety Act and Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. 

Criminal Charges in US v. Brett Sandy: On April 16, 2026, The United States of America filed a criminal information against Brett Sandy charging him with conspiracy to violate the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and conspiracy to violate the Consumer Product Safety Act for his involvement in the marketing, sales, and distribution of volatile alkyl nitrites, a chemical class of drugs with a history of recreational use under the slang term “poppers.” Sandy pleaded guilty on April 30, 2026.

According to court documents, from in or around January 2019 through in or around February 2025, Sandy worked for an Austin, Texas-based company knowingly and willfully marketing, selling, and distributing products in interstate commerce containing volatile alkyl nitrite for the purpose of inhalation, or otherwise introducing those products into the human body for euphoric or physical effects. To conceal the intended purpose of his product from regulators, Sandy mislabeled the products as various cleaning agents and not as a euphoric inhalant.

Criminal Charges in US v. Hugo Sanchez: On May 1, 2026, The United States of America filed a criminal information against Hugo Sanchez charging him with conspiracy to violate the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and conspiracy to violate the Consumer Product Safety Act for his involvement in the marketing, sale, and distribution of volatile alkyl nitrites, a chemical class of drugs with a history of recreational use under the slang term “poppers.”

According to court documents, from in or around January 2022 through in or around February 2025, Sanchez worked for an Austin, Texas-based company knowingly and willfully marketing, selling, and distributing products in interstate commerce containing volatile alkyl nitrite for the purpose of inhalation, or otherwise introducing those products into the human body for euphoric or physical effects. To conceal the intended purpose of his product from regulators, Sanchez mislabeled the products as various cleaning agents and not as a euphoric inhalant.

Victim Impact Statement:  Individuals and organizations who believe they were impacted as a result of purchasing or using volatile alkyl nitrates between January 2019 through in or around February 2025, have an opportunity to be notified of certain case events throughout the criminal justice process, and an opportunity, if they wish, to provide input on this matter, and in particular, on how the government should resolve this matter. A response is not required, but if any Impacted Individuals or Organizations wish to provide the government with their views on this matter, written comments may be provided to: Victim Witness Unit, U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Fraud Section, 10th & Constitution Avenue, NW, Bond Building, Room 453, Washington, DC 20530. You also may submit the Victim Impact Statement via email at Victimassistance.fraud@usdoj.gov or by fax at: (202) 514-3708. Please reference “Volatile Alkyl Nitrites” or “Poppers” in the subject line of your response. We must receive any input on or before April 30, 2026.

As stated above, this is a voluntary process.  Regardless of their decision to provide input at this phase of the matter, Impacted Individuals and Organizations will receive information relating to the case on this website through the conclusion of this matter.

For more information about the charges in US v. Sandy, please see below:

Information

For more information about the charges in US v. Sanchez, please see below:

Information

The information on this website will be updated as new developments arise in the case. If you have any questions, please call the Victim Assistance Line toll-free at (888) 549-3945 or email us at VictimAssistance.fraud@usdoj.gov.

Presumption of Innocence: It is important to keep in mind that a criminal information is merely an allegation, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty and that presumption requires both the court and our office to take certain steps to ensure that justice is served.

Crime Victims’ Rights Act and Right to Retain Counsel: Because charges have been filed in this case in federal court, you also may be entitled to the following rights, according to the Crime Victims’ Rights Act, Title 18, United States Code, Section 3771: (1) The right to be reasonably protected from the accused; (2) The right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of any public court proceeding, or any parole proceeding, involving the crime or of any release or escape of the accused; (3) The right not to be excluded from any such public court proceeding, unless the court, after receiving clear and convincing evidence, determines that testimony by the victim would be materially altered if the victim heard other testimony at that proceeding; (4) The right to be reasonably heard at any public proceeding in the district court involving release, plea, sentencing, or any parole proceeding; (5) The reasonable right to confer with the attorney for the Government in the case; (6) The right to full and timely restitution as provided in law; (7) The right to proceedings free from unreasonable delay; (8) The right to be treated with fairness and with respect for the victim’s dignity and privacy; (9) The right to be informed in a timely manner of any plea bargain or deferred prosecution agreement; and (10) The right to be informed of the rights under this section and the services described in section 503(c) of the Victims’ Rights and Restitution Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. § 10607(c)) and provided contact information for the Office of the Victims’ Rights Ombudsman of the Department of Justice. The Crime Victims’ Rights Act (18 U.S.C. § 3771) applies only to victims of the counts charged in federal court, and thus individuals may not be able to exercise all of these rights if the crime of which the individual is a victim was not charged.

Section 3771(c)(2) of this Act requires that we advise you that you have the right to retain counsel. Although the statute specifically sets forth your right to seek advice of an attorney with regard to your rights under the statute, there is no requirement that you retain counsel. The Government may not recommend any specific counsel, nor can the Government (or the Court) pay for counsel to represent you. Government attorneys represent the United States.

If you elect to obtain counsel to represent your interests, please have your attorney notify this office in writing at: U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Fraud Section, 10th & Constitution Avenue, NW, Bond Building, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20530, Attention: Victim Witness Unit; fax: (202) 514-3708; or email: victimassistance.fraud@usdoj.gov. If you elect not to retain counsel to represent your interests, you do not need to do anything.

Plea Agreements: Please be aware that many criminal cases are resolved by plea agreement between the Department of Justice and the defendant. You should also know that it is not unusual for a defendant to seek to negotiate a plea agreement shortly before trial is scheduled to begin. Plea agreements can be made at any time and as late as the morning of trial, leaving little or no opportunity to provide notice to you of the date and time of the plea hearing. If the court schedules a plea hearing in this case, we will use our best efforts to notify you of available information as soon as practicable. If you want to inform the prosecutor of your views regarding potential plea agreements, or any other aspect of the case, please contact the prosecutor assigned to this case or call the Victim Assistance Line toll-free at (888) 549-3945 or email us at victimassistance.fraud@usdoj.gov.