Just like Dude2k3 was the likely initial bust that steamrolled into ORD, this looks like it may have been the start of the 5 YEAR investigation that turned into Operation Cyber Juice...
Defendants Who Operated a Steroid UGL for 5 Years Sentenced to 6 Months Probation
There are probably hundreds, if not thousands, of underground laboratories (UGLs) manufacturing anabolic steroids ********ally in the United States. Most UGL operators are fully aware of the risks involved and accept that the reality of being busted as one possible outcome. This often involves prison time of a few months to a few years. But sometimes it is far less.
The story of the five co-defendants behind a Pennsylvania- and West Virginia-based UGL is one that has a (relatively) happy ending for those involved. Federal prosecutors in the case made a big announcement about the steroid bust back in November 2014. The UGL had been in full operation and distributing steroids over the Internet for 5 years according to local news reports.
The indicted co-conspirators included the owner of the local Morgantown Club 24 Fitness gym and three West Virginia University students. William Ihlenfeld, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia, announced the indictment of the five men including one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Human Growth Hormone,” one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Anabolic Steroids,” and one count of “Conspiracy to Launder Money Instruments.”. They faced up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 if convicted on the hGH conspiracy charges; up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000 if convicted on the steroid conspiracy charge; and up to 20 years in prison and fine of up to $500,000 if convicted on the money laundering charge.
It appeared that the feds were going all out to make an example out of this UGL and many people would go to jail for a very long time. But sometime during the past year, prosecutors had a considerable change of heart.
Three of the members of the steroid ring have pleaded guilty to federal misdemeanor steroid possession charges. All other charges were dropped. Instead of 5-20 years in prison, the three were sentenced to only 6 months probation by U.S. Magistrate John Kaull as a condition of their plea agreement. The two other members are expected to plead guilty and receive similar treatment.
Why the special treatment? John Parr, the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia, noted that the men had all been very cooperative with the government's investigation since their initial contact with the feds in 2009. The admission that the feds made initial contact in 2009 but didn't arrest them until 2014 raises even more questions.
At the time of their arrest, U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld said that at least one of the co-conspirators was able to identify internet customers around the country who were buying steroids from them.
“As with anything of interest, there are message boards, blogs and websites,” Ihlenfeld said. “It's the same for weightlifting and bodybuilding, there are message boards for that area… One of the individuals was (allegedly) able to identify individuals across the country who were interested in buying steroids because they were weightlifters, body builders or both.”
Morgantown Club 24 Fitness ower Carl Benedict, Derek Starn and Joseph Greco have officially been sentenced to 6 months probation. Anthony DiDomenico and Richard Pinelli are expected to enter their pleas very shortly.
The men were granted their freedom – from being incarcerated and from being labeled as convicted felons. And the government walked away with a stash of cash. The feds were happy to slap the wrists of the co-defendants because the feds collected an estimated $50,000 via forfeiture from the five co-conspirators. It was certainly enough to justify future government steroid investigations. However, it probably won't be enough to deter many, many future UGL operators from setting up shop in West Virginia and elsewhere in the United States.
Source:
Harvey, M. (August 31, 2015). Kaull takes pleas from 3 in steroid case, with 2 more on tap. Retrieved from
http://www.theet.com/news/local/kaul...7b5f5c350.html