Undercover officers have discovered evidence of steroid use at the fitness center and distribution by either Goodman or other members at the fitness center, according to court records.
That evidence includes syringes, bank statements, computer software, cell phone records and financial records belonging to either Goodman or the fitness center.
A confidential informant has told undercover officers that Goodman was “actively distributing steroids” and that “individuals associated with Physical Edge often use and/or distribute steroids,” according to court records.
NPC bodybuilder Keith Koppenhaver, who last competed at the 2000 NPC Junior Nationals, has also been implicated. Koppenhaver was a personal trainer at Physical Edge (Hi-Octane) and a friend of Chris Goodman.
Undercover officers seized several types of steroids, human growth hormone, insulin and other dangerous, controlled substances from Koppenhaver’s home or property, according to court records.
He has admitted to undercover officers that he sold steroids and never pays taxes from those sales or the money that he receives as a personal trainer, according to court records.
He has identified Goodman and a professional bodybuilder in the Oklahoma City area as his steroid suppliers, according to court records.
Tulsa County District Court records filed Wednesday show that officers recently searched the home and found vials of popular muscle-building steroids and human growth hormone. Among the substances found were testosterone, nandrolone decanate and stanozolol.
Also seized were e-mails to Ducasse “instructing him on bodybuilding drug use,” “handwritten notes regarding steroid cycles,” a “weekly steroid use schedule” and “7 pages of clients,” who are believed to be members of Sky Fitness & Wellbeing, 10121 S. Sheridan Road, according to the court records.
An employee at the fitness center said Friday that Ducasse trains clients at the facility.
Joseph Dion, currently a Miami-based personal trainer, told two Sports Illustrated reporters that he was the individual identified as “Max” in Jose Canseco’s book Vindicated. Canseco claimed that Max was a steroid dealer who provided baseball player Alex Rodriguez with steroids.
Dion has refuted Canseco’s claims and told Sports Illustrated that he is completely anti-steroid (”The man behind the Max,” April 18).
“That’s really, really funny because I am the one person that hates steroids,” Dion said. “I’m against it 100 percent. And, A-Rod, at the time that I trained him — and this I swear to God — was 100 percent against steroids. He was one of the hardest working guys, and most natural guy, that I’ve met in my life. He hated steroids. We talked about it.”
It remains to be seen how this latest revelation will affect the steroid witch hunt in baseball. Federal investigators are scheduled to meet with Jose Canseco on Tuesday to discuss steroids in baseball; investigators are expected to ask Canseco about Joseph Dion, Alex Rodriguez, Roger Clemens, and other Major League Baseball players.
When he meets with investigators on Tuesday, he could be in a vulnerable position, said Daniel C. Richman, a professor of law at Columbia University and a former federal prosecutor.
“It sounds like the government is looking at Canseco as just a witness,” Richman said. “But a witness who proves uncooperative can easily turn into a subject or even a target if the government wants to push hard. And the range of statements that Canseco has already made in his book and to Congress will make it easier for investigators to pin him down, forcing him to either reaffirm past claims or explicitly deny them. He has far less wiggle room than witnesses who can fairly claim not to remember.”
In the case of Canseco, federal authorities are hoping that his unapologetic use of steroids will lead them not only to Max, but to other suppliers, according to the lawyer familiar with the case, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
Canseco’s lawyer, Greg S. Emerson, plans to ask federal authorities for immunity so that Canseco does not risk incriminating himself. If a grand jury convenes in the Roger Clemens’ perjury case, Canseco may be subpoenaed to testify under oath.
A federal steroid investigation in Texas that shut down a major steroid source in the Texas is now targeting an NFL football player. Matt Lehr, currently with the New Orleans Saints but previously with the Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons, was one of the subjects of a grand jury investigation convening in Texas according to the New York Times. At least one active NFL player from the Atlanta Falcons was subpoenaed to testify against Lehr on possible steroid distribution charges (”Former Dallas Cowboy named in steroid investigation,” April 8 ).
Amateur bodybuilder David Jacobs was the steroid source that was busted in May 2007. Jacobs had extensive ties to both amateur and professional bodybuilders; he was widely recognized in the sport as IFBB Pro Branch Warren’s training partner. Fortunately for the sport of bodybuilding, bodybuilders were NOT the target of the federal investigation. It now appears that the end target(s) of the U.S. attorney’s office are professional football player(s).
David Jacobs had also previously trained with NFL player Matt Lehr in Texas. Lehr’s former girlfriend, female bodybuilder Andrea Trent, confirmed that David Jacobs and Matt Lehr were close.
“David and Matt were close and pretty tight,” said Ms. Trent, adding that they worked out together “all the time.”
Branch Warren has distanced himself from David Jacobs but surprisingly has come to the defense of football player Matt Lehr in the Dallas Morning News.
Local pro bodybuilder Branch Warren, who used to train with Mr. Jacobs, said he is friends with Mr. Lehr and does not believe the NFL player has ever done anything illegal.
“My understanding is, Mr. Lehr was suspended and he moved on with his life,” said Mr. Warren, who lives in Tarrant County. “Matt made a mistake, and he admitted to it. He’s a good guy.
“He’s an NFL player. Why would he sell drugs, someone who makes that kind of money?”
Mr. Warren said that although he does not condone steroid use, he believes it is pervasive in professional sports.
Matt Lehr’s attorney is trying to discredit Jacobs suggesting that the case against Lehr will be dropped due to faulty information provided by Jacobs. But David Jacobs has denied providing federal prosecutors with the names of customers who bought steroids from him stressing that evidence and associations with Lehr were established independent of his cooperation.
Mr. Jacobs denies that he gave up any of his customers’ names to prosecutors. But he says during the course of their investigation of him – which he says dates back to 2005 – authorities tracked his associations and developed the information on their own…
Federal prosecutors are looking at bank records, correspondence and other evidence analyzing what investigators believe could outline transactions involving anabolic steroids and human growth hormone between Mr. Jacobs and Mr. Lehr.
One thing is for certain - the federal investigation in Texas is far from over. All parties involved in related steroid cases must continue to wait for the conclusion of their respective cases while the feds pursue anabolic steroids in football.
Everytime a steroid source is busted, there is considerable internet buzz about whether the source will “rat out” anyone. And everyone involved in the underground steroid black market wants to know whether their colleagues, their customers, or their sources will turn their name(s) over to federal/state investigators. Internet entrepreneurs have realized the demand for this type of information, much to the chagrin of law enforcement, with websites like Who’s A Rat? (”Web site that rats out informants worries Dallas officials,” March 29).
The site seeks to expose people who “rat on a business associates, friends, or family members just to save themselves,” said Chris Brown, whosarat.com spokesman…
The site has survived because of free speech protections, he said. “The bottom line is we provide the forum. The members post…”
Currently, anyone can go to Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) and download information about their favorite busted steroid source, past and present, including the criminal complaint, the indictment, and the plea agreement. I think this sort of transparency in our criminal justice system is great.
Unfortunately, websites like WhosaRat.com and RateMyCop.com have raised concerns among law enforcement that may ultimately restrict the public’s access to court records. This is a worthy debate in and of itself. But I want to focus on another aspect the process - plea agreements - and why these do not necessarily make the defendant a “rat.”
Practically all individuals indicted in steroid conspiracy, steroid possession, and steroid distributions charges will ultimately reach plea agreements with federal prosecutors. But a plea agreement by a defendent does not always mean they have ratted out either distributors higher on the steroid supply chain or customers lower on the steroid supply chain.
Plea agreements, especially in victimless crimes like steroid possession, are often reached to ease an overburdened criminal justice system (”Plea deals help make courts efficient,” November 18, 2007).
Plea agreements can save time and money while bringing a faster resolution for the accused and accuser. Without them, experts say, the courts would become clogged, bogged down and overworked.
“Obviously, from the standpoint of the court being able to function efficiently, without plea agreements, the system would slow down dramatically,” said La Crosse County Circuit Judge Scott Horne, elected to the bench last spring after 22 years as county district attorney.
Prosecutors like plea agreements because they guarantee a conviction. There are several types of plea agreements. Defendants can plead guilty to a lesser charge or some of the charges for a speedy conviction. They can also agree to plead guilty in exchange for a lesser sentence. Obviously, these type of plea agreements do not make them a snitch or a rat.
Clearly, some plea agreements involve the cooperation with ongoing investigations and/or testifying against a co-defendant, etc. Even these cases don’t always involve snitching on others. For example, the “cooperaton” could involve teaching federal prosecutors how a major steroid smuggling operation works in exchange for a more lenient sentence.
Other plea agreements could involve testifying against a co-defendant or a party in a related investigation. Often times, prosecutors ask defendants to simply confirm the evidence already collected by prosecutors. But even then, sometimes the cooperation is really too innocuous to qualify the defendant as a “rat.” A good example is the recent testimony of Patrick Arnold (Ergopharm) at Tammy Thomas’ doping trial. Pat explains his testimony here to readers of the MESO-Rx Blog:
I was basically forced into a very crappy situation. Last year right before i went to prison they subpoenaed me to a grand jury hearing. in that hearing they showed me evidence they had against tammy and it was clear to me they had all they needed to show i sold her stuff. So i told them yes i did.
if i did not, then i would have gone to prison. and it would not have done anything to help tammy anyway.
the good thing about this is that tammy’s attorneys are not even trying to deny she got stuff and took it, so my testimony this week was pretty moot. they are using another angle and surprisingly it turned out that my 3 hours on the stand helped tammy’s side much more then it helped the feds.
Other plea agreements (usually the sealed variety) involve confidential informants or cooperating defendants involved in sting operatons; these are typically what are called “rats” or “snitches.”
But the problem with websites like WhosaRat.com is that when plea agreements are uploaded, members often do not discriminate and assume the agreements to be proof that the defendant is a rat.
Authorities point out that a plea deal is not necessarily proof that someone is an informant or plans to testify against another defendant.
While it is always wise to assume the worst to protect yourself, assumptions based on incomplete information may not always be accurate.
Scott Haines, a personal trainer at the Nashville Athletic Club, was arrested this week last month for manfacturing and distributing anabolic steroids. Several hundred vials of anabolic steroids from an unidentified underground lab were confiscated by police. (Steroid pictures of vials from this underground lab are shown below; we are working to identify the UGL involved.)
The continuing investigation by Central Precinct undercover detectives into the illegal distribution of steroids in the Nashville area has resulted in the rearrest of suspect Scott Haines…
Haines’ probation was violated following his February 19 arrest on two counts of possessing steroids for resale. He was stopped after Central detectives saw him conducting sales from his vehicle. Recovered that day were 2,200 dosage units of anabolic steroid, $3,090 cash, and a 1994 Nissan Altima. Recovered on February 20 during a search of Haines’ Brooksboro Terrace apartment in South Nashville were 500 dosage units of anabolic steroid and 300 grams of powder used to manufacture steroids.
Scott Haines was apparently the steroid source for multiple police officers from different Tennesseean law enforcement agencies who worked out at the Nashville Athletic Club.
Three Metro police officers were decommissioned Feb. 29 after they were implicated in steroid use. Officers Mike Evans, Danny Cage and Stephen Reece are on “administrative assignment” with pay and required to be at home from the work hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., police spokesman Don Aaron said…
Sena Omer, 24, was set to graduate from the police academy March 6. He resigned the day before after questioning from detectives, police said.
Murfreesboro Officer Phillip Hatcher was stripped of his gun and badge on Monday, but Channel 4 News learned on Thursday that he was fired from the department.
Two Tennessee Highway Patrol officers have been placed on administrative leave with pay pending an internal investigation.
The Department of Safety said Sgt. Larry Hitchcock and Trooper William Futrell, both 36, are under investigation by the Office of Professional Responsibility.
Spokeswoman Laura McPherson would not give further details on the investigation, but the Highway Patrol has said it is looking into allegations of troopers using or selling steroids.
The steroid investigation is a joint operation between local law enforcement and the DEA.
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.
Joseph Garcia, Jr. aka “Joe Gold” was indicted in September 2007 on “conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute anabolic steroids.” This week he plead guilty to these charges in Georgia and was released on unsecured bail pending sentencing. But before he could leave the courthouse, he was arrested again on separate steroid distribution charges in Connecticut.
Apparently as soon as “Joe Gold” was released from jail on bond after his first steroid distribution indictment, he allegedly returned to becoming a steroid source on the internet from November 2007 up until January 4, 2008. No word on whether he used the same handle as before.
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/011208/geo_235947688.shtml
. Canseco says that baseball player Alex Rodriguez received steroids from “Max” (”
