Skelton, Marino Sentenced in Horse Doping Cases

Two defendants charged in the indictment that landed former trainers Jorge Navarro and Jason Servis in federal prison for multiple years were sentenced in May, more than four years after they were originally charged.

On May 30 Gregory Skelton admitted committing conspiracy to misbranding of drugs and drug adulteration in the courtroom of Judge Mary Kay Vyskosil, who presided over many horse doping cases that originated with an indictment returned in early 2020. He was sentenced as part of a plea agreement to time served and placed on supervised released for two years. Charges in the original indictment against Skelton were dismissed.

Christopher Marino was sentenced by Vyskocil May 9 on a related charge of conspiracy and misbranding, long after pleading guilty Sept. 25, 2020. He was also sentenced to time served and ordered to undergo supervised release.

Skelton was ordered to pay more than $38,000 in a money judgment made a part of his conviction, and Marino was tagged for more than $91,000 for which he is jointly and severally liable with Nick Surick, a defendant previously sentenced.

Conditions of both men's release include not committing another federal, state, or local crime, and not unlawfully possessing or using a controlled substance. Skelton was ordered to pay restitution of $28,277,175 and a $5,000 fine.

Both men were sentenced in United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.