NPC Texas Chairman Lee Thompson was found in possession of “large quantities of different types of anabolic steroids” when he was arrested on May 25, 2009 according to federal prosecutors. Fort Bend County Sheriff Deputies arrested Thompson after a federal grand jury indicted him on steroid conspiracy charges for his alleged involvement with the “Falkenhagen” group.
Chris Downey, the attorney for Lee Thompson, dismissed the government’s characterization of the “large quantities” of steroids in his client’s possession as inappropriate. Downey argued that the quantity of steroids found was “consistent with personal use” IF all the steroids that were expired and therefore unsuitable for use were EXCLUDED.
The Government has alleged that the defendant was in possession of “large quantities” of anabolic steroids at the time of his arrest. While defendant has not yet completed the process of discovery in this matter, defendant has a good faith reason to believe that a review of the substances to which the government refers would reveal that some of the items were not suitable for use as they had expired. Furthermore, the quantity remaining would constitute an amount consistent with personal use and is not properly characterized as “large quantities”.
The new details in the Lee Thompson case were made public when Downey requested permission for his client to travel outside the United States. Thompson and his fiancee had made extensive plans for their wedding on the Carribbean island of St. Lucia on July 4, 2009. However, as a condition of Thompson’s release on a $50,000 unsecured bond, Thompson had to surrender his passport and was prohibited from traveling outside the United States. Read more
Anabolic steroid possession for personal use is not criminalized in the Republic of Ireland but steroid trafficking is illegal. Michael Kehoe of Ireland, a successful entrepreneur in the local fitness industry, was fined €9,000 after he pleaded guilty to three counts of “supplying a medicinal substance other than as prescribed” in June 2009; Kehoe was busted in possession of almost 80,000 tablets including several different types of anabolic steroids, ephedrine and clenbuterol (aka “angel dust”) over five years earlier on March 25 2004. Kehoe discussed his past involvement with steroids and bodybuilding yesterday on Boards.ie under the handle “MickK”.
I was big into bodybuilding when I was alot younger, I have talked openly about it on boards a few times in the past. I regrettably started taking steroids when I was 17 years old and this incident took place when I was 21 years old. I am 27 now and have thankfully built a business doing what I love. I think we all know what goes on in bodybuilding and I would obviously not condone cheating in sports but in bodybuilding they are not banned. Either way it is a long time in my past now.
Defense attorney Peter Keane attributed Kehoe’s to his involvement with a “culture of steroid abuse” arising from his struggles with muscle dysmorphia. Keane maintained that the steroids and bodybuilding drugs were intended for his client’s personal use rebutting Liam Wright of the Irish Medicines Board testimony that the steroids represented a “commercial quantity” likely intended for distribution to athletes in gyms and sporting leagues. Read more
Anabolic steroid possession for personal use is technically legal in Canada although a steroid user lacking a medical prescription could have the drug seized. Only steroid trafficking, steroid manufacturing and steroid importation are illegal under Canadian law. The penalties for steroid importation are not always particularly severe in the absence of evidence of distribution.
S. Satir, Ph.D. of Canada, a civil engineer and top amateur bodybuilder, was fined $1000 after he pleaded guilty to one charge of “failing to report imported goods” in May 2009. The Crown dropped one charge of “smuggling prohibited goods” as part of the plea agreement.
Satir was caught in possession of approximately 26,000 tablets consisting of six different types of steroids and five different bodybuilding ancillary drugs on February 4, 2009. Customs officials at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport discovered the drugs repackaged in supplement bottles and a wooden backgammon set in Satir’s luggage. Satir was returning home to Canada on a flight from the United States after visiting Turkey for two months (”Bodybuilder fined $1,000 for trying to bring steroids, other pills into country,” May 27).
Mr. Satir told investigators that he had purchased the drugs in Turkey for $2,000.
“He advised that he had obtained the pills for his own personal use, and the Crown has no evidence to the contrary,” federal prosecutor Suhanya Edwards told the court. Read more
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) thanked governments around the world for joining them in their efforts to internationalize steroid law around the world during a ceremony to celebrate the ratification of the UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport 2005 by over 100 countries.
WADA has explicitly stated their desire for all national governments to criminalize the use of anabolic steroids and other performance enhancing drugs as defined in the WADA code. WADA’s politically-correct and moralistic agenda, like U.S. steroid law enforcement policy, seeks to pressure and coerce other governments to think alike and conform to accept its policy as the defacto international anti-steroid policy (”WADA praises governments for anti-doping stance,” November 12).
WADA’s David Howman said Wednesday that 102 countries have ratified the UNESCO Convention on Doping in Sport since it came into force nearly two years ago. It means anti-doping measures become part of national law in the countries that have ratified the agreement.
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“We’re not there yet, we still have a long way to go. (Doping) is too easy in many countries because there are not strong enough laws,” Howman said. “Let’s enhance the fight through legislation.”
Steroid policy experts have been critical of the internationalization of steroid law for its highly politicized and moralistic agenda. Philip Sweitzer analyzes the trend of political correctness in the current debate on steroid law policy that has troubling consequences for countries around the world Read more
It is never advisable to store anabolic steroid tablets, vials, and/or related paraphernalia in your automobile even if it is hidden in your glove compartment. A simple traffic misdemeanor could lead to the discovery of your steroid stash (especially if you unknowingly waive your rights during a traffic stop and allow police to search your vehicle). Instead of a simple speeding ticket and/or traffic misdemeanor, you could be facing a steroid possession or steroid distribution charge.
Even if you never speed and always obey posted traffic signs, you never know when a possum might dart out on the road in front of you leading to unforeseen consequences Read more
A correctional officer employed by the Lebanon Correctional Institution was charged and arrested on four counts of “abusing steroids.” The steroid abuse charges are based on the discovery of “seven vials of anabolic steroid and 16 packs of anabolic steroid tablets” in his apartment (”Corrections officer arrested for steroid abuse,” June 11).
The State of Ohio has apparently codified their steroid laws such that steroid possession is defined as steroid abuse. I guess that is Ohio’s way of settling the debate of steroid use versus steroid abuse! Can steroid use exist without abuse? It doesn’t matter in Ohio courts; if you’re in possession of steroids, you are a steroid abuser.
One of the co-defendants in the David Jacobs federal steroid investigation claims to have sold personal use quantities of anabolic steroids to Shaun Kelley, owner of Shaun Kelley Weight Control Clinic in Houston (”Suspect says he sold performance-enhancing drugs to clinic tied to Clemens,” April 24).
A co-defendant in the Plano steroids trafficking ring linked to a former Dallas Cowboys player has told investigators that he sold performance-enhancing drugs to Shaun Kelley, proprietor of the Houston weight loss clinic recently linked to baseball great Roger Clemens, according to the co-defendant.
The co-defendant indicated that the quantity sold was for personal use, “two or three vials here and there.” A second source close to the case corroborated the co-defendant’s statements.
The co-defendant told federal investigators in North Texas that he sold steroids to Kelley two months prior to the New York Times story linking Kelley with Roger Clemens.
David Jacobs’ six co-defendants include Amber Jarrell, Matt Williams, Brandon Smith, Juan Carlos Ballivian, Andrew Schenck and Jamie Mongeau.
Law enforcement doesn’t usually pursue personal use steroid cases . But it does not take much to turn a personal use steroid case into a “conspiracy to distribute” steroid case (e.g. 10 tablets of Dianabol).
The Norfolk County Police Anti-Crime Task Force and Millis Police Department busted Daniel Pease on steroid distribution and steroid conspiracy charges. Pease purchased raw steroid powders from China and manufactured oral and injectable steroids in an underground lab in his apartment.
This was a relatively small-time steroid bust except that authorities discovered a how-to-make-anabolic-steroids instruction list in Pease’ apartment. Authorities revealed that elephant and dog tranquilizers were mixed with other chemicals to magically create anabolic steroids (”Millis man charged with steroid production,” April 14)?!
Detective Domenic Tiberi said more than $5,000 worth of steroids, 300 to 400 syringes and several chemicals, including elephant and dog tranquilizers, were confiscated …
Police believe different chemicals, such as the animal tranquilizers, were mixed together to make the steroids.
Police provided additional insight on the illicit underground steroid market by estimating that 20 vials of injectable steroids and 100 steroid tablets could supply steroid cycles for about 30 people.
Police found enough steroids to supply 30 people, Tiberi said.
At least 100 manufactured capsules were found in the apartment along with 20 bottles ready to be injected.
Through training, experience and undercover work, police were able to identify the chemicals, Tiberi said.
Pease or the Millis Police Department did not realize that steroids were already as dangerous as methamphetamines without the addition of “elephant tranquilizers.”
Two men were sitting in a parked car in the New Springville Barnes & Noble parking lot Sunday night. Police decided to search their vehicle because they were “acting furtively.” This a euphemistic way of saying they looked guilty and they were up to no good! (”2 Staten Island men had $800 worth of steroids, cops say,” March 25)
Cops got wise to the car’s occupants… after they spotted the duo “acting furtively” in their car at about 9:00 p.m., a police source said.
The store was closed for the night, and the two men were parked next to a second, vacant car, the source alleged.
When police searched the car, they found about $800 worth of steroids — pills, bottles and a liquid capsule of testosterone and other substances, court papers allege.
Both men were charged with three counts each of fifth- and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.
It seems clear the men possessed the anabolic steroids for personal use.
“Acting furtively” is apparently sufficient reason to invite police to search your car. This is yet another reason why it is advisable to “just say ‘no’ to police searches.”
The people running the underground lab “Othala Labs” were arrested in North Carolina last Thursday by officers from the Gastonia Police Department. Christopher K. Gore and Brad Jonathan Dyer were arrested and each released on $150,000 unsecured bond (”Police find thousands of grams of steroids,” March 23).
Christopher K. Gore… faces charges of possessing steroids, manufacturing steroids, possessing steroids with the intent to sell and deliver them, labeling counterfeit steroids, maintaining a residence for keeping steroids, maintaining a vehicle to keep and sell steroids and conspiring to violate state law by distributing anabolic steroids…
Dyer faces charges of possessing steroids, possessing steroids with the intent to sell and deliver them, selling and delivering steroids and conspiring to violate state law by distributing anabolic steroids.
Othala Labs was actually busted last summer (June 2007) when local authorities discovered anabolic steroids in Gore’s residence whose entire perimeter was surrounded by a chain link fence and guarded by three boxer dogs. Shortly afterwards, the primary internet source of Othala Labs was accused of turning “scammer” on the Internet message boards.
Police found more than 700 tablets and almost 3,000 grams of various kinds of steroids in June 2007, according to warrants.
Gore sold Brad Jonathan Dyer, 26, of the 800 block of East Zion Church Road, Shelby, 10 bottles of steroids, according to arrest warrants…
Police found Dyer had more than 200 tablets of two different kinds of anabolic steroids and 22 bottles of three different types of steroids in June 2007, according to arrest warrants. Dyer attempted to sell three types of steroid, according to arrest warrants.
It is unclear why it took 9 months before arrest warrants were issued.
Pro Bodybuilding Weekly interviewed IFBB Pro bodybuilder Hidetada Yamagishi today for the first time since his release from jail. Hide Yamagishi was arrested and charged with steroid possession and distribution in December 2007; he was released after 65 days in jail after his attorney had all felony charges dismissed. His travel visa was revoked.
Yamagishi told Dan Solomon and Bob Cicherillo of Pro Bodybuilding Weekly that he is currently working to obtain a visa so he can compete at the 2008 IFBB Pro Bodybuilding Weekly Championships in Tampa, Florida on August 9, 2008 and possibly the 2008 Europa Pro show.
Hide is not angry or bitter and the events that have occurred over the past few months. He continues to be grateful for every opportunity bodybuilding has provided him. He told listeners his relationship with Milos Sarcev is good and he hopes to work with him in the “future forever.” He thanked his fans for their support while he was in jail with special thanks to Silvio Samuel and Mitsuru Okabe.
He continues to take full responsibility for everything that has happened to him and implores fans to learn from his mistakes repeating sentiments recorded a video message last month for his fans upon his initial return to Japan.
Jesse Abundiz aka Wickedone, the owner of Morning Star Labs, was arrested on March 1, 2008 and charged with possession with intent to distribute 9,468,.24 grams of anabolic steroids. Abundiz purchased medical grade laboratory equipment to set up an underground steroid lab in his mother’s Las Vegas home.
The investigation began 19 months ago when the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol notified the FBI and DEA that Abundiz was using a post office box in Sacramento to receive anabolic steroid powders from China. In December 2007, a search warrant was executed on his mother’s home where the operational underground lab was discovered.
At the residence, investigators apparently found an “operational underground steroid lab” containing controlled substances and lab equipment with a street value of roughly $1 million, the FBI said.
Vials, syringes, beakers, medical-grade vacuum pumps, butte stoppers, label makers and labels reading “Morning StarLabs” reportedly were recovered.
About 400,000 dosage units, or roughly 11 kilograms of controlled substances that included anabolic steroid powders, were recovered at the residence, according to the FBI.
It is unclear whether his mother will be charged or if additional conspiracy charges will be added.
Did you ever wonder how an internet source gets busted? It’s often a textbook process by the feds in many cases. Most sources are not particularly sophisticated. And you usually have a couple of low level sources and partners who flip the bigger internet source. These guys are richly rewarded by our criminal justice system. Court documents provide some insightful details.
It started with the arrest of Jacob Piergiovanni aka “D2K3″ on April 10, 2007. D2K3’s computer revealed he had imported about 2,000 lbs of steroid powder since 2003. D2K3 was busted thanks to a cooperating defendent in Louisiana.
Two weeks later, under instruction from the feds, Piergiovanni used his email account d2k3@cyber-rights.net to place an order for anabolic steroid powders from “Worldwide” at worldwidegrowth@hushmail.com.
On April 26, 2007, FDA Special Agent David Westall used D2K3’s handle and email account to arrange the purchase of 2 kilograms of powder testosterone propionate, testosterone base, and testosterone enanthate from Worldwide for $1600.
On April 28, 2007, Worldwide requested that two payments of $800 be sent via Western Union to Alex Lewis in Ingliss, Florida with identification requirement waived in favor of a test question and answer.
On April 30, 2007, undercover SA David Westall using the handle D2K3 made payment according to Worldwide’s instructions.
On May 21, 2007, Worldwide emailed D2K3 (SA Westall) to inform him that steroid powders arrived from China.
On May 23, 2007, Worldwide shipped the steroid powder to an undercover mailbox in Brunswick, George that SA Westall provided as a shipping address.
On May 24, 2007, just over one kilogram of steroid powder was received at the undercover box. The steroid powder was shipped from Antioch, Tennessee.
At this point, federal investigators knew that Worldwide was not operating alone. Someone else was receiving and remailing steroids for Worldwide. So, they arranged a sting operation to bust Worldwide’s partner in Tennessee.
On May 25, 2007, SA Westall asked if Worldwide would be willing to receive steroid shipments from China on his behalf. SA Westall did not want to use Worldwide’s source but wanted to use his own Chinese steroid supplier.
Worldwide agreed to receive 2 kilograms of steroid powder from SA Westall’s China powder source and remail it to SA Westall (still operating under D2K3 handle). The fee for this service was $350 payable via Greendot pre-paid Visa/Mastercard.
On May 28, 2008, SA Westall purchased a Greendot card at CVS Pharmacy and emailed the card number to Worldwide.
SA Westall then requested a mailing address from Worldwide where the Chinese steroid powder could be shipped.
SA Westall then made an undercover purchase of steroid powder from a Chinese supplier of anabolic steroids identified as “top_hormone”. We believe this is well-known spammer Andy Xu who spammed various bodybuilding message boards using the following email addresses and websites:
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andyxu@hormonechem.com
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deenxu@hotmail.com
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andyxzping@yahoo.com.cn
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http://www.andychem.com
On May 29, 2007, Worldwide told SA Westall to have the Chinese steroid supplier ship the steroids to Jeff Beaty’s home address; Worldwide unknowingly gave up his partner, including real name and home address, to the feds.
SA Westall paid “top_hormone” $1217 for two kilograms of powder steroids.
On May 30th and May 31, 2007, “top_hormone” shipped two kilograms of powder steroids via expedited delivery in two shipments to Jeff Beaty aka “The Priest” in Antioch, Tennessee.
On June 2nd and June 4, 2007, both packages of steroids arrived at the Nashville, Tennessee post office.
On June 4, 2007, federal agents executed an anticipatory search warrant at Jeff Beaty’s house where they found the two kilograms of steroid powder from top_hormone. The next day they were surprised to see another shipment arrive from China containing 100 vials of growth hormone along with a FedEx envelope with $2300 cash.
Federal agents learned that Beaty received steroids and growth hormone from China and remailed them on behalf of Worldwide. In addition, Beaty was responsible for the receipt of payments for internet steroid sales and wiring payment to Chinese suppliers of steroids and growth hormone on behalf of Worldwide.
“The Priest” gave investigators Worldwide’s phone number. The feds subpoenaed phone records and learned that the phone number was the home phone registered to Matthew Jack (subsequently identified as the father of Worldwide) in Homosassa, Florida. The feds learned that David Paul Jack aka Worldwide lived with his mom and dad at that residence.
On June 14, 2007, a search warrant was executed at the home of Worldwide’s elderly mother and father in Homosassa, Florida. His parents confirmed their son had several Greendot cards in various different names, they identified their son’s voice in voice messages left on Jeff Beaty’s phone, and permitted investigators to review their caller id box where Jeff Beaty’s phone number appeared multiple times. The stated they did not know Beaty and their son was the only other person in the household who made and received phone calls.
David Paul Jack’s girlfriend gave up all the fraudulent names and identities used for Greendot cards and his internet handles including “bjbowden”. She told investigators that Worldwide also had a partner in California in addition to the “The Priest” in Tennessee.
“The Priest” continued to cooperate with federal investigators and allowed the feds to use his online identity in ongoing correspondence with Worldwide.
The Outcome
All three people involved face similar steroid distribution and conspiracy charges, including conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute anabolic steroids. They all faced up to 5 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.
David Paul Jack aka “Worldwide” and “bjbowden” pleaded guilty as part of a plea agreement with federal prosecutors. He was sentenced to 48 months in prison on December 18, 2007. In exchange, he got to choose which prison he would serve his sentence. His 15-month old daughter is now being raised by his parents.
Jacob Piergiovanni aka “D2K3″ pleaded guilty as part of a plea agreement with federal prosecutors. He was sentenced to 5 years probations on December 10, 2007 in exchange for his cooperation with the feds.
Jeff Beaty aka “The Priest” pleaded guilty as part of a plea agreement with federal prosecutors. He was sentenced to 5 years probation on February 15, 2008 in exchange for his cooperation with the feds.
Jeff Beaty aka “The Priest” pleaded guilty on Friday, February 15, 2008 to the charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute anabolic steroids. Beaty was arrested and indicted as part of Operation Raw Deal.
Newspapers have identified Jeff Beaty of Nashville, Tennessee as an MMA fighter. He trained at Nashville MMA. His MySpace page has been inactive since last fall.
Assistant U.S. attorney Brian McEvoy described the “significant assistance” provided by Beaty to the Florida Times-Union with use of his internet handles:
He allowed [federal] agents to use his online identity and identified cellular telephone numbers that led to [several] convictions.
The plea agreement details Beaty’s cooperation as follows:
The defendant agrees to cooperate fully and testify truthfully against any and all persons as to whom the defendant may have knowledge whenever called upon to do so with regard to the facts underlying the information in this case, as well as the government’s continuing investigation into the circumstances underlying the information. The defendant understands that this agreement does not require the defendant to “make the case” against any particular person or persons. Rather it requires the defeant to be truthful and to testify truthfully whenever called upon. The defendant agrees to fully and truthfully respond to all questions asked by law enforcement officers. Defendant agrees to a polygraph examination if deemed necessary by the government to verify the truthfulness of information the defendant is supplying pursuant to the cooperation provision of this plea agreement.
Beaty faced up to 5 years imprisonment and up to $250,000 fine. As part of his plea agreement, prosecutors recommended probation. The court granted the “motion for downward departure” on Friday. Beaty was sentenced to 5 years probation:
Sentence: 5 Years Probation with standard conditions of probation. urine testing, prohibition against possession of any firearm or other dangerous weapon and against the violation of any law. DNA sample as directed by the USPO. deft shall participate in a program of testing for drug and alcohol abuse and if necessary, participate in program for treatment. 150 hrs of community service during the first 18 months of probation. Deft shall submit his person, residence, office, or vehicle to a search conducted by a USPO at a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner. Court accepts the plea agreement.
IFBB Pro Bodybuilder Hidetada Yamagishi recently had all felony steroid possession and distribution charges against him dismissed; he pleaded guilty to only a misdemeanor count of possession of Viagra without a prescription. Nonetheless, this was enough to result in the revocation of his O-1 travel visa granted to foreign athletes who have extraordinary ability and have received international acclaim and recognition in their respective sport. As a result, he was taken into federal custody and placed in the Federal Correctional Institute at San Pedro, California.
Yamagishi retained immigration attorney Ms. Montserrat Miller, Esq. from the law firm Greenberg Traurig. Hide was given the option of remaining incarcerated while he fought the revocation of his O-1 visa or he could voluntarily return to Japan. Upon the advice of Ms. Miller, Hidetada Yamagishi chose the latter option.
When Hide returns to Japan, he will be faced with decisions on how to proceed with his bodybuilding career as it involves travel to the United States. Flexonline outlines his options:
Now, Yamagishi must choose whether he wants to fight the revocation of his visa from Japan or apply for re-entry to the United States. IF he chooses to contest the revocation and loses, Yamagishi faces a five-year ban where he will not, under any circumstances, be allowed to enter the United States. However, if Yamagishi elects to apply for a re-entry visa and is approved, it is likely that he would be allowed back in the country within the next few months.
