COVID-19 Update: FBI Arrest Brooklyn Man Selling Overpriced N95 Masks Who Coughed On Agents

A man from Brooklyn, who claimed that he tested positive for the coronavirus, has been arrested by the FBI agents on Monday, March 29, for hoarding and selling N95 masks and other medical supplies at inflated prices.

Baruch Feldheim, 43, was also charged with assault after he deliberately coughed on the agents who came to his house to investigate him.

New Jersey U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said that Feldheim is part of a government crackdown against people who have been making money off the coronavirus pandemic. Feldheim has been stockpiling medical, surgical, and cleaning supplies to sell at marked-up prices in a WhatsApp group chat.

Court documents showed that he transacted with an unnamed doctor on March 18, who needed a thousand face masks and other medical gears. The complaint, which was filed in Newark's Federal District Court, indicated that the deal was for $12,000 or about 700 percent than its regular retail price.

The doctor who picked up the items at a repair shop in New Jersey said that Feldheim had enough supplies to "outfit an entire hospital."

On March 23, Feldheim also offered surgical gowns to a nurse. FBI agents have been observing his residence and witnessed several instances where people have been carrying boxes or bags from his house.

On March 29, the FBI visited Feldheim and told him that they were staying a few feet away as a coronavirus safety precaution. However, Feldheim coughed at the agents without covering his mouth and then said to them that he has COVID-19.

The Justice Department told officials last week that deliberately spreading the virus, which is considered a biological agent, may be prosecuted under terrorism laws.

The FBI arrested Feldheim for making false statements to the FBI about his medical supplies. He denied that he's in possession of large quantities of medical supplies.

The suspect was also charged for coughing on the agents, which is considered as an assault against an officer of the law. Newark's state attorneys, however, did not elaborate if he will be charged for terrorism.

Feldheim faces a penalty of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine for the assault. This is on top of the false statement claims, which has a five-year maximum penalty and $250,000 fine.