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- Joined
- Jun 4, 2002
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My name is MikeS - some of you may know me. Newer people may not. I last open posted 7/06; prior to my infamous arrest on charges of Conspiracy with intent to distribute 40,000 doses Anabolic Steroids (40000 is the max). Under the advice of my lawyers I dropped out of the scene and the business. I was forced to leave a brotherhood of friendships which Id spent the last 8-10yrs developing, only kept in touch with a handful of bros since. I was on the original internet hardcore boards back when there were 3-4 boards. I had prior knowledge as Id been involved somewhat in the mid 80s. Dan Duchaine was my source, and I had done through study. In those beginning days on the net, information was marginal, and I was considered quite knowledgeable in comparison to most and this was recognized by board fellows. I was a daredevil in trying all new sources and reporting legitimacy of their business. This reckless behavior resulted in my initial legal incident in 2000, and it was the 2nd high profile internet bust, the first being that of Mardi Gras, a fellow member of our 'inner circle', a group of the most prominent internet mods and gurus, who had joined to form an AAS purchasing team. I believe I was also the first high profile guy to use Rick Collins, the famous steroid lawyer. The story of my first bust was reported as a 15pg article in 9/2001 Muscular Development as written by myself, Rick Collins, and Jon Romono. The story was entitled BUSTED, and Ricks monthly MD column retains that same story name to this day.
I did remain part of the internet AAS community, my main boards being Anabolex, Renegade, and the UG. As the lifespan of those boards ceased, my fellow mod BigA started the board Professionalbodybuilding, soon to become Professionalmuscle. I was still using and supplying AAS, local and over the internet. It was a casual situation, never promoted or pushed, not on a large scale. I went to the Arnold Classic each and every year and reported those shows events to our fine board annually. One year the person attending with me, Tazzy, stood me up on the very last day before the trip to Arnold in Ohio. I had a board member by the name of Pierre Gumucio, aka Beast2k, a local board guy who contacted me frequently by phone, and I had met on a couple occasions. I was actually not interested in perusing close friendship with him, but that year he came through and accompanied me to the Arnold, pulling me out of a bind. We had a good time, and I decided to move to a business relationship and good friendship with him, as he always desired using my board status and contacts in the game. This continued for years...I had the contacts and buying savvy, he accepted the packages. We imported together, exported (locally and domestic internet) separately. His business became quite larger than mine, as he was more eager and pushy to move his stock; as I was content to sit on mine when things were slow. This required more and more buying, and thus, risk. Eventually my stock was quite large due to my purchasing each order despite the fact I was sufficiently stocked presently. Finally, in July 2006, a controlled delivery was made and Pierre was ambushed. I realized that the pickup had gone sour when my calls to him were not answered or returned, and he contacted me from jail the next day to ask for help in getting bail. His childhood friend Robbie and I had both agreed to surrender our home titles so he could make bail. At this point I was unaware that Pierre had become informant and blamed the entire operation on me, in addition, led the LE straight to my entire stock of anabolics and ancillaries. Amazingly, they did never raid his premises, as they would have found huge amount of money and AAS. He claimed to be just my carrier, and I had employed him, and LE believed his lies, and took the bait. As I left my home that night, still in possession of my home deed and awaiting a notification that he could be released with that, I drove away from my home expecting to be weekend bound. As I turned from my street, an entire police force surrounded my car, causing me to make an abrupt stop, yielding guns and yelling aloud. I was brought in and interrogated; denying any involvement with Pierre as not to incriminate him, as I did not yet know he had become NARC. I couldn’t imagine my business partner and best friend, a sniveling rat. I reasoned that maybe LE had investigated us for a long while and this was the accumulation of that surveillance. That is, until I read the charges while in my jail cell, which included the probable cause-implicating Pierre as the sole reason they had any information regarding me. I was jailed the entire weekend until I was released on bail Sunday. Returning to a home which looked like it had been destroyed in a tornado, courtesy of LE search warrant. I quickly informed the internet community that Pierre Gumucio was a narc, and all the boards carried the story of the incident and warning of his cooperation with LE.
I retained the service of Rick Collins, who further recommended me to a local
lawyer named Andy Alperstein. The lawyer fee was a whopping $15k (actually a bargain), and graciously Rick had offered to consult my case without charge to me due to our long friendship. I was assured by Andy and his father, the founder of their law firm, that I would be fine under their guidance and representation. I believed that as the States arraignment date approached. However, Andy began to sense that the State was avoiding him, and we feared that the FEDs would become involved. Just days before the state arraignment, FEDs stormed my residence, same silly screaming and yelling, and I was re-arrested on Federal charges, jailed for one day and released. This would be much more complicated than expected. I was taught the Federal penal system, and my charge stood as a 21 on the Federal Guidelines. We managed to drive the number down to a 17, through 'timely acceptance of responsibility' and ‘overstatement of criminal record' being reduced. That number meant 24-31mo in federal prison. Accepting that was very difficult and almost impossible.
The next blow to my life came in December of 2006, when LE leaked the story to the local media. I was warned by Andy on Friday and on Saturday, a front-page story was unveiled in bold print, containing the erroneous version of my dealings in the word of LE, as informed to them by the scum rat Pierre. That evening, it was the lead story on most of the Baltimore TV newscasts; mentioned was my place of employment. I had received a call early that day from my employer placing me on suspension ending the final legal decision. I knew that could take many months/years. So I voluntarily resigned; and began with a new company within days. Then I simply waited judgment day.
That date arrived Sept 7 2007. I was prepared to go to jail for at least 1yr, hoping for a break of possibly 6mo. Rick later said he though Id be lucky to get 1yr, Andy reasoned a guess of 2yrs. Id spoken to Dave Palumbo to access the situation at Morgantown WV Fed prison, where they have weight training equipment. I was prepared for a new life, had made all the arrangements with my home, career, pending the length of the sentence. Andy spoke brilliantly for a while, some back and forth with the US attorney. Then Rick pulled out the stops with alarming statistics on steroid use. Then Andy summarizes and finalizes our pleads for leniency. Then I was given the opportunity to speak. Well this stuff should have been immortalized on video...no one, and I mean NOONE could have given a performance like Andy and Rick. And I am proud that both of these great men and lawyers said I gave a great speech myself, although I was so nervous that I did not know what was pouring out of my yap. Andy refused to give me an outline of things to say to the court, because he wanted it to sound spontaneous, and not rehearsed. We had recommendations from many of my clients (health and fitness field), my Pretrial officer, the psychologist that Pretrial lady ordered me to see, several character witnesses were present to speak on my behalf...all lined up to give us the best chance. The judge quickly and without hesitation made his decision after my words...I was given a sentence of 6mo house arrest, not electronically monitored, and 3yrs supervised release.
We stood in stunned and joyous shock. The sentencing officer watching from the rear said I fell backward somewhat, and he said in his 20yrs of work he had seen maybe only a dozen cases where this kind of latitude was given. Judge Motz showed amazing understanding and compassion, for which I was so grateful for that second chance at freedom. We celebrated...I was full of gratitude toward all the people who had pulled and prayed for me, my family, friends, and these 2 great lawyers, and a compassionate judge. No two men working together could have achieved that result which Andy and Rick accomplished. I repeat, and have the paperwork to prove it-WITHOUT cooperation to the FEDs in compromising (i.e.-NARCING, RATTING) my fellow brothers. It was textbook, made for TV court! Andy warned that evening, while I was out celebrating with my family, that there would likely be a newspaper report; and that the government had 30days to appeal the sentence. The guilty verdict we had plea earlier, and we signed NOT to be able to appeal that agreement. I really didn’t put much thought into it. But surprise, despite the recommendation by the US attorney not to appeal, the govt did file to appeal the judges sentence. Angry could not describe my state of mind. It was so wrong. Although you have a defense to counter the accusers, and a judge to make decisions, three deciding factors in the legal system-its as if the only thing that matters was the prosecution getting its way, completely-and to monopolize the whole legal system unfairly. This also strips a powerful man, a Federal Judge-appointed by the President, of his power to perform his duties. This really amounts to a witch trial...where the only thing that matters is that the defendant is found guilty and punished as they so insist. No defense or judgment can interfere.
So now, Im playing with the big boys, new laws that are being challenged, like the right of the FEDs to eliminate the judge’s power to go outside the Federal Guidelines, or sentences. There were two cases in the Supreme Court awaiting judgment with similar situations. Both the govt and ourselves agreed to await those decisions before proceeding. In the middle of December, much sooner than anticipated, those decisions (Kimbrough/Gall vs US Supreme Court) were decided. The results made front page news all over the country. The judge’s sentences stood-it was decided judgment outside of the guidelines was allowable. And incidentally, also within that decision, crack penalties were lowered similar to powered cocaine. Normally, judges were staying within the guidelines except in exceptional cases. The FEDs challenged even those extraordinary cases and tried to take the power in full. Now, that will backfire as judges will often judge using their own opinion, regardless of the guidelines. It is a payback for the FEDs greed for absolute power, and it’s about time that they were set back somewhat. Bottom line, we had persevered! Just in time for Christmas!
I now have just 6wks of that 6mo home detention sentence remaining...and I have a ton of gratitude. Towards my brilliant lawyers, great men and friends Andy Alperstein, and Rick Collins. My family and friends. My internet buddies...ALL those who contributed to my fund. May I just mention a few...BigA, IP, Allbeef were instrumental in assisting me and I am indebted to these friends forever for their kindness and care. And friendly support of guys like Jethro, rAJJIN, Lats...so many more. The website SaveMikeS...I thank god and my friends and I feel so fortunate. I will not return to business, as having the FEDs on your ass for 2yrs will scare the life out of you...but I will always value my years on the boards and the friendships I’ve made. Thank you, and bless you all.
I did remain part of the internet AAS community, my main boards being Anabolex, Renegade, and the UG. As the lifespan of those boards ceased, my fellow mod BigA started the board Professionalbodybuilding, soon to become Professionalmuscle. I was still using and supplying AAS, local and over the internet. It was a casual situation, never promoted or pushed, not on a large scale. I went to the Arnold Classic each and every year and reported those shows events to our fine board annually. One year the person attending with me, Tazzy, stood me up on the very last day before the trip to Arnold in Ohio. I had a board member by the name of Pierre Gumucio, aka Beast2k, a local board guy who contacted me frequently by phone, and I had met on a couple occasions. I was actually not interested in perusing close friendship with him, but that year he came through and accompanied me to the Arnold, pulling me out of a bind. We had a good time, and I decided to move to a business relationship and good friendship with him, as he always desired using my board status and contacts in the game. This continued for years...I had the contacts and buying savvy, he accepted the packages. We imported together, exported (locally and domestic internet) separately. His business became quite larger than mine, as he was more eager and pushy to move his stock; as I was content to sit on mine when things were slow. This required more and more buying, and thus, risk. Eventually my stock was quite large due to my purchasing each order despite the fact I was sufficiently stocked presently. Finally, in July 2006, a controlled delivery was made and Pierre was ambushed. I realized that the pickup had gone sour when my calls to him were not answered or returned, and he contacted me from jail the next day to ask for help in getting bail. His childhood friend Robbie and I had both agreed to surrender our home titles so he could make bail. At this point I was unaware that Pierre had become informant and blamed the entire operation on me, in addition, led the LE straight to my entire stock of anabolics and ancillaries. Amazingly, they did never raid his premises, as they would have found huge amount of money and AAS. He claimed to be just my carrier, and I had employed him, and LE believed his lies, and took the bait. As I left my home that night, still in possession of my home deed and awaiting a notification that he could be released with that, I drove away from my home expecting to be weekend bound. As I turned from my street, an entire police force surrounded my car, causing me to make an abrupt stop, yielding guns and yelling aloud. I was brought in and interrogated; denying any involvement with Pierre as not to incriminate him, as I did not yet know he had become NARC. I couldn’t imagine my business partner and best friend, a sniveling rat. I reasoned that maybe LE had investigated us for a long while and this was the accumulation of that surveillance. That is, until I read the charges while in my jail cell, which included the probable cause-implicating Pierre as the sole reason they had any information regarding me. I was jailed the entire weekend until I was released on bail Sunday. Returning to a home which looked like it had been destroyed in a tornado, courtesy of LE search warrant. I quickly informed the internet community that Pierre Gumucio was a narc, and all the boards carried the story of the incident and warning of his cooperation with LE.
I retained the service of Rick Collins, who further recommended me to a local
lawyer named Andy Alperstein. The lawyer fee was a whopping $15k (actually a bargain), and graciously Rick had offered to consult my case without charge to me due to our long friendship. I was assured by Andy and his father, the founder of their law firm, that I would be fine under their guidance and representation. I believed that as the States arraignment date approached. However, Andy began to sense that the State was avoiding him, and we feared that the FEDs would become involved. Just days before the state arraignment, FEDs stormed my residence, same silly screaming and yelling, and I was re-arrested on Federal charges, jailed for one day and released. This would be much more complicated than expected. I was taught the Federal penal system, and my charge stood as a 21 on the Federal Guidelines. We managed to drive the number down to a 17, through 'timely acceptance of responsibility' and ‘overstatement of criminal record' being reduced. That number meant 24-31mo in federal prison. Accepting that was very difficult and almost impossible.
The next blow to my life came in December of 2006, when LE leaked the story to the local media. I was warned by Andy on Friday and on Saturday, a front-page story was unveiled in bold print, containing the erroneous version of my dealings in the word of LE, as informed to them by the scum rat Pierre. That evening, it was the lead story on most of the Baltimore TV newscasts; mentioned was my place of employment. I had received a call early that day from my employer placing me on suspension ending the final legal decision. I knew that could take many months/years. So I voluntarily resigned; and began with a new company within days. Then I simply waited judgment day.
That date arrived Sept 7 2007. I was prepared to go to jail for at least 1yr, hoping for a break of possibly 6mo. Rick later said he though Id be lucky to get 1yr, Andy reasoned a guess of 2yrs. Id spoken to Dave Palumbo to access the situation at Morgantown WV Fed prison, where they have weight training equipment. I was prepared for a new life, had made all the arrangements with my home, career, pending the length of the sentence. Andy spoke brilliantly for a while, some back and forth with the US attorney. Then Rick pulled out the stops with alarming statistics on steroid use. Then Andy summarizes and finalizes our pleads for leniency. Then I was given the opportunity to speak. Well this stuff should have been immortalized on video...no one, and I mean NOONE could have given a performance like Andy and Rick. And I am proud that both of these great men and lawyers said I gave a great speech myself, although I was so nervous that I did not know what was pouring out of my yap. Andy refused to give me an outline of things to say to the court, because he wanted it to sound spontaneous, and not rehearsed. We had recommendations from many of my clients (health and fitness field), my Pretrial officer, the psychologist that Pretrial lady ordered me to see, several character witnesses were present to speak on my behalf...all lined up to give us the best chance. The judge quickly and without hesitation made his decision after my words...I was given a sentence of 6mo house arrest, not electronically monitored, and 3yrs supervised release.
We stood in stunned and joyous shock. The sentencing officer watching from the rear said I fell backward somewhat, and he said in his 20yrs of work he had seen maybe only a dozen cases where this kind of latitude was given. Judge Motz showed amazing understanding and compassion, for which I was so grateful for that second chance at freedom. We celebrated...I was full of gratitude toward all the people who had pulled and prayed for me, my family, friends, and these 2 great lawyers, and a compassionate judge. No two men working together could have achieved that result which Andy and Rick accomplished. I repeat, and have the paperwork to prove it-WITHOUT cooperation to the FEDs in compromising (i.e.-NARCING, RATTING) my fellow brothers. It was textbook, made for TV court! Andy warned that evening, while I was out celebrating with my family, that there would likely be a newspaper report; and that the government had 30days to appeal the sentence. The guilty verdict we had plea earlier, and we signed NOT to be able to appeal that agreement. I really didn’t put much thought into it. But surprise, despite the recommendation by the US attorney not to appeal, the govt did file to appeal the judges sentence. Angry could not describe my state of mind. It was so wrong. Although you have a defense to counter the accusers, and a judge to make decisions, three deciding factors in the legal system-its as if the only thing that matters was the prosecution getting its way, completely-and to monopolize the whole legal system unfairly. This also strips a powerful man, a Federal Judge-appointed by the President, of his power to perform his duties. This really amounts to a witch trial...where the only thing that matters is that the defendant is found guilty and punished as they so insist. No defense or judgment can interfere.
So now, Im playing with the big boys, new laws that are being challenged, like the right of the FEDs to eliminate the judge’s power to go outside the Federal Guidelines, or sentences. There were two cases in the Supreme Court awaiting judgment with similar situations. Both the govt and ourselves agreed to await those decisions before proceeding. In the middle of December, much sooner than anticipated, those decisions (Kimbrough/Gall vs US Supreme Court) were decided. The results made front page news all over the country. The judge’s sentences stood-it was decided judgment outside of the guidelines was allowable. And incidentally, also within that decision, crack penalties were lowered similar to powered cocaine. Normally, judges were staying within the guidelines except in exceptional cases. The FEDs challenged even those extraordinary cases and tried to take the power in full. Now, that will backfire as judges will often judge using their own opinion, regardless of the guidelines. It is a payback for the FEDs greed for absolute power, and it’s about time that they were set back somewhat. Bottom line, we had persevered! Just in time for Christmas!
I now have just 6wks of that 6mo home detention sentence remaining...and I have a ton of gratitude. Towards my brilliant lawyers, great men and friends Andy Alperstein, and Rick Collins. My family and friends. My internet buddies...ALL those who contributed to my fund. May I just mention a few...BigA, IP, Allbeef were instrumental in assisting me and I am indebted to these friends forever for their kindness and care. And friendly support of guys like Jethro, rAJJIN, Lats...so many more. The website SaveMikeS...I thank god and my friends and I feel so fortunate. I will not return to business, as having the FEDs on your ass for 2yrs will scare the life out of you...but I will always value my years on the boards and the friendships I’ve made. Thank you, and bless you all.
