A shocking case has come to light in Florida, where a father and his three adult sons have been found guilty on all counts. They were falsely claiming that a toxic bleaching agent they sold through their fake church could cure serious illnesses such as HIV, autism, cancer, COVID-19, and more.
According to the Miami Herald, a Miami jury wasted no time in delivering the guilty verdicts for the so-called “Church of Bleach” family. The trial, which began on Monday, concluded on Wednesday with the jury taking just 30 minutes to reach their decision.
The jury found Mark Grenon, 65, and his sons Jonathan, 37, Joseph, 35, and Jordan, 29, guilty of conspiring to defraud the United States by distributing an unapproved and misbranded drug. The drug in question is the “Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS),” which is consumed as chlorine dioxide, an industrial bleaching agent used for bleaching paper products. The conviction carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison.
In addition, Jordan and Jonathan Grenon were found guilty on two counts of criminal contempt for violating federal court orders to stop selling MMS in 2020. This conviction carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
However, Mark and Joseph Grenon had similar contempt charges dropped after fleeing to Colombia in 2020. The charges were dropped in 2022 as part of an extradition deal, which stated that they would only be charged with conspiracy to defraud.
During the trial, federal prosecutors described the family as “con men” and “snake-oil salesmen” who tried to evade federal laws by selling their dangerous MMS product through a non-religious “church” called the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing, based in Bradenton, Florida. They posed as “bishops” and sold MMS as a “sacrament” in exchange for a “donation” to the church. Despite lacking any scientific evidence, the family claimed that their toxic solution could treat various serious conditions, including cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, autism, malaria, hepatitis, Parkinson’s, herpes, HIV/AIDS, and COVID-19, according to the indictment.
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In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about MMS, stating that it had received reports of people suffering life-threatening conditions after consuming the poisonous liquid. In 2020, the agency obtained court orders to halt the sale of MMS, but the family ignored these orders until their arrests.
Prosecutors revealed that the family made over $1 million from selling tens of thousands of bottles of MMS since 2010.
In his closing arguments, federal prosecutor John Shipley emphasized to the jury that “you cannot go out and create a fake church and violate the law.”
Similarly, US District Judge Cecilia Altonaga informed the jurors that the Grenons could not use the First Amendment, specifically religious freedom, as a defense for selling MMS because their church was not a legitimate religious entity. As previously reported, the Genesis II Church’s now-defunct website described their organization as “a non-religious church” formed to serve humanity, not for worship purposes.
The Grenons represented themselves during the trial but did not speak during the proceedings, seemingly protesting in their own way. Only after the guilty verdict was read did Joseph Grenon speak, stating, “We will be appealing.”
Their sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 6.
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On October 13th, the Wisconsin Supreme Court announced a landmark ruling, declaring a family-run church from the town of Manchester guilty on all counts of reckless driving in a school zone. It was also ruled that the court will not consider any appeals from the family. The family, who ran a church in Manchester called the Church of Bleach, was convicted after their van was spotted driving recklessly in a school zone in May 2019.
The Church of Bleach had attracted attention for its unorthodox religious practices, which included the administration of what the family called “medical-grade bleach” through an IV to members of their congregation. Though the van was filled with believers, the court ruled that the reckless driving violated multiple school zone regulations.
In the court’s ruling, the defense’s claims of religious freedom were dismissed and the family was found guilty on all charges. The family intends to file an appeal, however the court has ruled that any appeal will be dismissed. The family has released a statement indicating that their case involves issues of religious freedom and that they intend to fight for their rights.
The ruling marks the end of an almost year-long legal battle for the family, who will now be facing fines and potential criminal charges for their violations. Though the Church’s beliefs may be unorthodox, some legal experts suggest that the Church of Bleach’s conviction could set a dangerous precedent against religious freedom in the state of Wisconsin.
It remains to be seen whether the ruling will stand and the appeal be dismissed, or whether the rights of the Church of Bleach will ultimately be respected. Either way, this is a case that promises to garner much attention in the coming months and years.
