- A Utah man who falsely claimed that silver could cure COVID-19 has been arrested by federal agents after a three-year manhunt.
- Gordon Pedersen is facing multiple charges of fraud and is seeking to represent himself in court.
- Pedersen, now asserting his status as a sovereign citizen, argues that the US has no authority to charge him.
Following a raid on Gordon Pedersen’s home, federal authorities discovered that he had misrepresented his medical credentials in order to market a fake COVID-19 cure. Subsequently, Pedersen was indicted by a grand jury and ordered to appear in federal court.
Instead of complying, Pedersen went into hiding, setting off a three-year manhunt.
In the summer of this year, the search came to an end when a federal agent observed a red rental car leaving Pedersen’s last-known address. The agent followed the car to a gas station, where Pedersen got out, pumped gas, and went into the store to make a cash payment for the gas and a drink.
Pedersen first attracted the attention of federal authorities at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. He used his YouTube channel to sell a product called “structural alkaline silver,” claiming it could destroy the virus by resonating at a frequency that disrupts its membrane. However, court documents revealed that Pedersen falsely presented himself as a board-certified “Anti-Aging Medical Doctor,” claiming to hold doctorate degrees in immunology and naturopathic medicine.
In his YouTube videos, Pedersen wore a white lab coat monogrammed with the title “Dr. Gordon Pedersen” and operated the website “mydoctorsuggests.com.” This website still promotes Pedersen’s “Alkaline Structured Silver Solution Supplement” and a silver-based mouthwash labeled as “chemical-free.”
According to court records, Pedersen is facing charges of mail fraud, wire fraud, and felony introduction of misbranded drugs into interstate commerce with intent to deceive.
Like many other individuals who emerged at the start of the pandemic, Pedersen marketed unproven products as COVID-19 cures or preventatives. The authorities cracked down on such sellers, warning companies that were falsely advertising teas, tinctures, and essential oils as cures.
In 1999, the FDA issued a final rule cautioning against the use of colloidal silver products, stating that they are not recognized as safe and effective. The FDA found no substantial scientific evidence to support the use of silver in treating diseases.
Moreover, prolonged use of colloidal silver can lead to the accumulation of silver in body tissues, causing a blue-gray discoloration of the skin, eyes, organs, nails, and gums. In severe cases, excessive consumption of silver can result in kidney damage and seizures, as noted by the Mayo Clinic.
Pedersen’s Identity Assertions
When Pedersen failed to appear in court on August 25, 2020, a bench warrant was issued for his arrest. Since then, Pedersen has submitted a series of documents claiming not to be “Mr. Pedersen” or a US citizen. Instead, he asserts himself as a “corporate entity” and a copyrighted “Living Soul.”
In his filings, Pedersen repeatedly refers to himself as “:Gordon-Hunter: Pedersen:©,” denying the jurisdiction of the United States and stating that he is not bound by any foreign laws.
In addition, Pedersen’s court filings include false and baseless conspiracy theories. He believes that COVID-19 is the same as the common cold and alleges that the fight against the virus is a simulated war exercise. Pedersen also accuses Bill Gates and Anthony Fauci of engineering the coronavirus and deliberately infecting the public.
In one filing, Pedersen criticizes the raid on his home, describing it as a “forced hostile home invasion” and an abuse of power.
While Pedersen was submitting these filings, FDA agents and US Marshals conducted surveillance and interviewed individuals associated with Pedersen, suspecting that he may have taken refuge in a log cabin in Utah or Wyoming. However, it remains unclear where Pedersen resided during his three years as a fugitive.
Pedersen appeared in court for a hearing to determine whether he can represent himself at trial. An attorney representing Pedersen did not respond to Insider’s request for comment.
Prosecutors argue that Pedersen should remain in custody due to the risks he poses and his history of evading authorities for over three years. They contend that his sovereign citizen claims indicate a potential threat to obstruct justice and a danger to the community. According to prosecutors, no conditions could ensure Pedersen’s appearance in court or the safety of the community because he does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction.
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