Kansas City spa owner guilty of treating and injuring customers with illegal chemicals

A former Kansas City, Missouri, medical spa owner has pleaded guilty to providing illegal treatments that hurt some of his patients.

Richard Smith III owned and operated Tap and Blade between 2018 and 2021, performing medical services, such as injections of prescription drugs, including Botox.

The 46-year-old admitted he never told his patients he was using foreign prescription drugs and devices that the FDA had not approved. 

Smith estimated he treated some 50 to 60 customers, at least 10 of whom suffered a bodily injury.

Before using the procedures on people, Smith practiced injections on honeydew fruit, fake heads, and fake skins.