SAN DIEGO -- A San Diego man who scammed sick people out of millions of dollars was sentenced for selling medical devices he claimed would cure everything from cancer to AIDS.

A federal judge sentenced James Folsom, 69, to four years and three months in prison for selling black box devices that promised miracles. The products were sold all over the Internet.

San Diegan Dr. Royal Rife started it all back in the 1930s. Over the years, Rife has had true believers in his cures through electrical current, as well as charlatans looking to make money on the boxes.

Prosecutors said San Diegan James Folsom earned $8 million selling over 9,000 black boxes over the course of 11 years. The biofrequency devices were sold under the names Astropulse, Global Wellness and Nature Tronics.

"I've seen prices anywhere from a few hundred to maybe $4,000 or $5,000 for that type of device," said Dr. Stephen Barrett who called the devices "quackery." Barrett runs www.quackwatch.org, a Web site to debunk health fraud.

None of the devices Folsom sold were approved by the Food and Drug Administration. He was convicted in federal court on 26 counts of selling "an unapproved medical device."

"He's done something wrong, very defiant and bad," said Barrett.

Folsom and his supporters are planning an appeal, using a Web site to drum up financial support.

Barrett hopes the Folsom case shines a light on scam products, which he says the federal government needs to do a better job policing.

"I want to see a government system do something about the problem," he said.

If an appeals judge upholds the case, the devices Folsom sold will be destroyed. For now, the 450 devices are in FDA storage.