'King of Viagra' Sentenced to Prison For Smuggling Drugs to Wrestlers

The former "King of Viagra," who helped smuggle human growth hormone to professional wrestlers in the St. Louis metro area, has been sentenced to 40 months in federal prison.

George Patino, 57, of Houston, Texas, was the supplier for a St. Louis County doctor, who illegally dealt the Korean-made drugs to local strongmen.

Patino, who was once a physician in Mexico, was found guilty in June of distributing HGH for unauthorized purposes and smuggling. He sent multiple shipments to Dr. Michael "Ted" Mimlitz between April 2014 and June 2015, routing the packages through Mexico, according to federal prosecutors in Missouri.

Mimlitz's clients included body builders and pro wrestlers, identified in court papers only by their initials, prosecutors say. He previously pleaded guilty in the case.

Patino has a long history of international drug scams, including a role in a prolific counterfeit pill ring that earned him the "King of Viagra" nickname in the British press.

He also pleaded guilty in 1997 in California to illegally distributing HGH.

In addition to his prison sentence, Patino has been ordered to pay a $95,000 fine.

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