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Oklahoma Law Enforcement Investigating Bodybuilders Who Use Steroids

The State of Oklahoma is cracking down on the use of anabolic steroids in the sport of competitive bodybuilding. The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control and Tulsa Police have been investigating steroid use in the competitive bodybuilding scene since at least December 2007. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has also been involved in the steroid investigation. The joint effort has resulted in a dozen arrest warrants for several IFBB professional bodybuilders, NPC amateur bodybuilders, emergency responders and medical professionals connected to competitive bodybuilding.

“We have identified individuals from Oklahoma, as well as several other states involved in bringing steroids or components of the drug into the United States,” according to Mark Woodward, a spokesman for the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics. “The drugs are being manufactured and distributed within a growing circle of individuals tied to competitive body building.”

Guy Ducasse, an IFBB pro bodybuilder, and Chris Goodman, a gym owner and supplement store owner, were indicted on federal steroid distribution and possession charges by a federal grand jury in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma. Over 75 individuals were interviewed during the Oklahoma steroid investigation. NPC bodybuilder Keith Koppenhaver reportedly told an undercover officer that Ducasse and Goodman were his sources for steroids according to previously published news accounts.

Federal prosecutors allege that IFBB pro Guy Ducasse sold at least $18,014 worth of steroids between 2006 and April 8, 2008 and that Chris Goodman sold at least $19,616 worth of steroids between April 7, 2004 and April 8, 2008. They both have been identified by law enforcement as “major” distributors of anabolic steroids in the Tulsa area.

Tulsa County Assistant District Attorney Tony Evans filed felony anabolic steroid distribution charges against Dr. Gary Robert Lee, a family and sports medicine physician at Gilcrease Medical Center. Dr Lee prescribed stanozolol (Winstrol) and nandrolone (Deca Durabolin) for the “off-label” to treat injuries in three bodybuilders.

Anesthesiologist Brad Stahlheber was arrested at the Muskogee Community Hospital on misdemeanor charges of possession of anabolic steroids and possession of drug paraphernalia. Dr. Stahlheber was not employed by the hospital but was given privileges to utilize the facility. A hospital spokesperson said Stahlheber was no longer welcome after his arrest. “We suspended his privileges until we can find out what’s going on,” according to Mark Roberts of Muskogee Community Hospital. “His arrest doesn’t fit in with the criteria of what our medical staff needs to be.”

National-level NPC amateur bodybuilder Darrell Terrell and IFBB pro Sherry Smith, who works for the Oklahoma City Fire Department, were arrested on misdemeanor suspicion of anabolic steroid possession after police discovered steroids and syringes while searching their home. Smith was permitted to remain on active duty with the fire department pending the resolution of the case. “We concluded she is not a danger to herself or the citizens of Oklahoma City and she will remain on duty,” according to Deputy Fire Chief Cecil Clay. “We can’t just put someone off without just cause, unless they are not fit for duty.”

NPC bodybuilder Tom Burke was charged with giving steroids to some of his personal training clients.

Recreational bodybuilder Derrick Davis was busted for importing raw steroid powders from China and prepared oral and injectable anabolic steroids in a home underground lab.

NPC bodybuilder Chris Waid, NPC bodybuilder Trudy Ireland-Kline, and Chris Jackson also face steroid-related charges arising from the Oklahoma investigation.

Criminal indictments for several unidentified bodybuilders remain sealed; the sealed indictments may involve bodybuilders on the East Coast and elsewhere outside of Oklahoma.

Sources

“Arrest Warrants Issued for Several Oklahoma Bodybuilders,” April 17, 2009

“Five arrested in state steroid investigation,” April 17, 2009

“Female Oklahoma City firefighter arrested in steroid sweep will remain on duty,” April 17, 2009

“Oklahoma Steroid Bust Nets Several Bodybuilders,” April 16, 2009

“Tulsa doctor charged over steroid prescriptions,” April 10, 2009

By Millard Baker

http://www.millardbaker.com

www.SteroidsRx.com

Law Enforcement Officers with Steroid Prescriptions Likely to Be Cleared

The Broward Sheriff’s Office tested 16 employees for anabolic steroids on February 20, 2009 after allegations of illegal steroid use surfaced. The Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) immediately placed 15 deputies and one civilian employee on administrative assignment, otherwise known as desk duty, following the unannounced steroid testing. The internal affairs investigation into possible illegal steroid use involves two phases. First, the inquiry will determine if the BSO employees actually used anabolic steroids based on the results of the steroid testing. Secondly, if the BSO employees test positive for steroid use, the inquiry will focus on whether the employees received a steroid prescription for a legitimate medical purpose.

The Broward County Police Benevolent Association (BCPBA) filed a lawsuit on behalf on the accused BSO employees. The lawsuit accuses the Broward Sheriff’s Office of improperly and illegally subjecting its employees to steroid testing urinalysis. The attorney for the BCPBA says that officers have no problem with steroid testing itself, but object to the manner and method in which it was administered in this case.

Nine of the sixteen BSO employees were cleared of wrongdoing within 10 days of being reassigned to desk duty. The steroid tests did not detect the presence of any exogenous anabolic steroids and the employees were deemed steroid-free. They subsequently returned to their regular assignments.

The remaining seven BSO employees presumably tested positive for steroids and remain on leave pending the conclusion of the internal affair investigation. Broward Sheriff's spokesperson Jim Leljedal explained that the second phase of the investigation will determine if the employees had medical prescriptions justifying their steroid use. "If they don't have prescriptions, if they're not supposed to be taking steroids, and they are, then they would be in violation of our very strict drug policy," said Leljedal.

“[T]he use of steroids without a prescription and the use of masking agents is considered a violation of policy and applicable state and/or federal law," according to the applicable Broward Sheriff’s Office policy. BSO permits the use of anabolic steroids only when they are “administered to employees through a legitimate physician/patient relationship and prescription."

Jim Leljedal refused to explain why the BSO employees were suspected of steroid use. Leljedal addressed the question by stating that ''information was developed that they might be using steroids.”

The Broward-Palm Beach New Times reported that a BSO detective allegedly pursued the accusations against fellow employees in the Broward Sherriff’s Office. The suspicions of steroid use stemmed from surveillance of their involvement with the now-defunct Lifestyle Rejuvenation Center. If these allegations turn out to be true, it will not be the first time that the Broward Sheriff’s Office has been implicated in a longevity clinic and compounding pharmacy scandal.

In 2005, eight Broward sheriff's deputies were investigated after the U.S. Attorney's Office in Miami discovered their names in the customer/patient records seized from PowerMedica, a now-defunct Deerfield Beach compounding pharmacy. Federal prosecutors turned over the names of steroid users to the Broward Sheriff's Office for further investigation.

The PowerMedica patient records contained the names of hundreds, if not thousands, of patients who were prescribed steroids. However, law enforcement employees were the only individual users, aside from famous athletes and entertainers, who were targeted. All eight BSO employees were cleared of wrongdoing in the 2005 case because they had prescriptions for steroids.

The 2009 case appears very similar with BSO employees who were patients/customers of the Lifestyle Rejuvenation Center. If the remaining officers under investigation turn out to have prescriptions for steroids, the BSO is likely to exonerate them as well.

Once again, the BSO steroid scandal will provide an opportunity for the media and general public to express their moral disapproval of the use of steroids by cops, but will likely result in no disciplinary action and uncover no violation of the law by accused cops.

Sources

“Nine cleared in Broward Sheriff's Office steroid case,” April 1, 2009

“Broward Sheriff Sergeant Turns in Fellow Officers in Lifestyle Rejuvenation Center Steroid Scandal,” April 1, 2009

“A former cop tells how he and a fellow officer took steroids,” March 31, 2009

“Plantation's Police Chief Breaks Records Laws to Cover for Cops on Steroids,” March 24, 2009

“Nine BSO Workers Cleared In Steroid Investigation,” March 17, 2009

By Millard Baker

http://www.millardbaker.com

www.SteroidsRx.com

Cena Thinks Athletes Who Use Anabolic Steroids Should Go to Jail

John Cena, the WWE superstar and actor, has repeatedly denied using anabolic steroids while performing in an industry plagued by steroid use and prescription painkiller abuse. Cena is employed by the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) which has endured its share of steroid-related controversy including a recent Congressional investigation into steroid use in professional wrestling. Rep. Henry Waxman concluded that the use of steroids in pro wrestling was widespread. Cena has been very vocal in his opposition to steroid use much to the chagrin of management and colleagues at the steroid-tainted WWE. Cena has only become increasingly outspoken in his anti-steroid rants for interviews promoting his new action movie “12 Round”.

“I’m not only a guy who will say I’m clean, but I’ll beat my chest to the world that I’m clean,” Cena responded to allegations of steroid use. Cena attributes his muscular physique to superior genetics and hard work. "Train with me for just a week, and you'll see that I'm the guy who drives 250 miles between shows but will be at the gym tomorrow at 10 a.m. when most people are still sleeping in," proclaimed Cena in an interview with Men’s Fitness magazine. "I'm the guy who'll fly to Australia, find a gym, fly back, and the first thing I do off the plane is work out, before I even shower or eat. I've made a living out of working hard."

John Cena has expressed support for the criminalization of the non-medical use of anabolic steroid by athletes. Cena has advocated the incarceration of athletes found to be using anabolic steroids or other performance enhancing drugs. “[T]hey should send the guys to jail,” said Cena in response to a question about MLB player Alex Rodriguez and baseball’s anti-doping efforts. Cena elaborated on this belief in an interview with the New York Daily News.

“[Steroids] are the personal choice of the athlete,” says the WWE wrestler, currently starring in the film “12 Rounds.” And [Rodriguez] got defensive, saying he used because he felt he needed to. If there was a set of [legal] stipulations set in place, he may never have even considered it.

“The government should take the initiative, and if you get caught using drugs, then you should go to jail. A criminal record will hurt your endorsements and long-term contracts.”

John Cena believes the decision to use anabolic steroids is a personal choice for athletes. But he also believes a paternalistic government should have a role in making that choice Athletes who make the “wrong” choice should be subjected to criminal punishment by Big Brother.

John Cena admitted in an interview with New York’s sports radio WFAN that his pro wrestling colleagues and WWE corporate were unhappy without his decidedly anti-steroid statements. This comes as no surprise after government investigators targeted WWE CEO Vince McMahon during a contentious interview regarding steroids in the WWE. “Of course there is! I get kickback from corporate. I get kickback from my co-workers,” told WFAN’s Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton. “But the bottom line is if America is on a campaign, to quote unquote, clean this thing up, let’s start getting the word out and let’s start doing something about it. Let’s not just let these guys pinched and go forward. Honestly if you’re not Alex Rodriguez, or if you’re not Tejada or Barry Bonds. And these guys get caught for substance abuse, it really ends up as as a scroller on the ESPN ticker. There really is no penalty.”

Just saying no to steroids is admittedly an easy choice for John Cena. Cena acknowledged that he is a genetic aberration in terms of his athletic performance and ability to build an extremely muscular physique. He nonetheless feels he represents proof that athletes can achieve success without steroids. "It's actually very easy (to say no). I've always been genetically gifted," according to Cena. "In this day in age, I pride myself as being one of those guys who's stronger in the weight room and stronger in the ring."

Of course, genetic ability is not a personal choice. John Cena’s celebrates his superior genetics while condemning individuals for making the personal choice to use anabolic steroids to overcome their genetic shortcomings; this may come across as self-righteous to many. Still, others may admire Cena’s courage to speak out against steroids while continuing to work in the pro wrestling industry where steroid use, by most accounts, remains rampant.

Sources

“Backstage Heat On John Cena For Anti-Steroid Comments,” April 1, 2009

“John Cena Interview on WFAN Boomer & Carton,” March 26, 2009

“Smack steroid user Alex Rodriguez in jail, says WWE star John Cena,” March 25, 2009

“John Cena discusses steroids and post-WWE aspirations in Men's Fitness interview,” March 16, 2009

“Government Targets Vince McMahon in Steroids and Profesional Wrestling Witch-Hunt,” January 6, 2009

By Millard Baker

http://www.millardbaker.com

www.SteroidsRx.com

French Violates Confidentiality Rules by Commenting on Armstrong Doping Tests

The French anti-doping agency violated confidentiality rules by commenting publicly on a doping sample obtained from cyclist Lance Armstrong. Jean-Pierre Verdy, the operating chief for the Agence Française de Lutte contre le Dopage (AFLD), told a Reuters reporter that the 8-time winner of France’s Tour de France was “surprised” by the unannounced request for a hair sample on March 17, 2009. Verdy made the comments after an AFLD press conference the following day. "He was surprised we asked for a hair sample, he asked some questions."

AFLD President Pierre Bordry told reporters during the press conference that the French anti-doping agency just learned that Armstrong was training in in Beaulieu-sur-Mer in southern France and immediately rushed to obtain hair, blood and urine samples from him. "He must know that he is like everybody else," said Bordry apparently oblivious to indications suggesting Armstrong has been specifically targeted by anti-doping testers. “To have done this test yesterday was a good way to make him realize that he is like everyone else.”

Lance Armstrong criticized the AFLD’s allegation that he was “surprised” by the hair sample request via a Twitter message posted after the AFLD press conference. “I'm never surprised anymore,” wrote Armstrong. ”What does surprise me is that AFLD feels the need to publicly comment on confidential matters.” Verdy reported that the hair sampling "troubled [Armstrong] quite a lot"; if it did, it may have been because the anti-doping testers “butchered” Armstrong’s hair requiring him to get a buzz cut.

Steroid testing involving hair sampling is permitted under French law. But the results are not recognized by international agencies governing doping and/or cycling. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) currently only use blood and urine tests to detect prohibited substances. Hair testing is simply not a reliable method for detecting doping agents.

“To date hair testing is not considered to be sufficiently reliable for sanctioning anti-doping violations by the vast majority of the experts that WADA consulted,” according to WADA spokesman Frederic Donze in an email to the Associated Press. “However, hair testing can provide valuable information that can lead to target testing by anti-doping organizations, for example.”

This brings into question the purpose of obtaining hair samples from Lance Armstrong that could not be used to prove a positive doping result anyway. The hair test is also very expensive costing approximately $500 Euros per test.

The real reasons the French anti-doping agency (AFLD) made a big issue out of Lance Armstrong’s hair sampling test may be somewhat more nefarious. The AFLD discussed Lance Armstrong as it released the results of its hair sampling study that purportedly revealed the widespread use of anabolic steroids in various sports, including cycling. The 2008 study randomly selected 138 athletes from football, rugby, cycling and athletics and found 22 contained traces of prohibited anabolic steroids in their hair samples. Most of the positive results involved the commonly used anti-aging supplement DHEA which has proven relatively useless as a performance enhancement agent. Only three samples allegedly tested positive for elevated testosterone use. Was the AFLD trying to implicate Lance Armstrong?

Given the unreliability and lack of validity of this doping method, the results are, for all intents and purposes, meaningless. DHEA and testosterone are naturally-occurring steroids in the human body. The determination of the origin of DHEA or testosterone detected via hair sampling may prevent widespread adoption of the anti-doping procedure for these substances. The actions by the AFLD represent a calculated and contrived attempt to revisit the issue of Lance Armstrong and rumors of doping.

Sources

“Armstrong’s hair tested in new anti-doping effort,” March 18, 2009

“A bad hair day for Lance Armstrong,” March 18, 2009

“Agency finds traces of banned steroid in French athletes,” March 18, 2009

By Millard Baker

http://www.millardbaker.com

www.steroidsrx.com

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Tejada Refused to Tell Congressional Investigators What He Knew About Steroids in Baseball

Major League baseball player Miguel Tejada was sentenced to one year probation and 100 hours of community service for the charge of making misrepresentations to Congress. Tejada pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge in February 2009; the Dominican Republic citizen faced up to six months in prison and deportation for refusing to tell Congressional investigators what he knew about steroid use in professional baseball.

The steroid witch-hunt that has swept through professional sports over the past several years has focused primarily on making an example out of athletes who allegedly used anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) such as human growth hormone (HGH). Federal prosecutors have found the Anabolic Steroid Control Act (which criminalizes the use and distribution of steroids) to be ineffective at making examples out of steroid-using athletes. Prosecutors have resorted to the use (arguably the misuse and abuse) of federal perjury laws to indict baseball players and other athletes suspected of using PEDs.

Miguel Tejada represents a unique case. Tejada has denied ever using any banned performance enhancing substance. The federal government has not accused Tejada of using steroids or even lying about his use of steroids. The government has explicitly admitted there is not sufficient evidence to prove that Tejada ever used steroids. He was not accused of perjury i.e. lying under oath. Instead, Tejada was accused of lying to Congressional investigators about his knowledge of steroid use by others in the MLB and his discussions with other MLB players about steroids.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia felt it was worthwhile to charge Miguel Tejada for lying to Congressional investigators when he told them that he had never used anabolic steroids nor had he any knowledge of other baseball players using (or even talking about). Tejada had denied awareness of any such discussions among his teammates or any participation in any such discussions during an August 26, 2005 interview (not under oath) with Congressional Committee interrogators.

Committee Staff: Has there been discussions among other players about steroids?

TEJADA: No, I never heard.

Committee Staff: You never heard any of that?

TEJADA: No. […]

Committee Staff: When you were playing with the Oakland A’s, they had a reputation in some places as a place where a lot of players used steroids; were you aware of that? […]

TEJADA: No.

Committee Staff: You never knew of any other player using steroids?

TEJADA: No.

Committee Staff: Or just that it was even an issue for some players? […]

TEJADA: I didn’t know any player.

The “Report to the Commissioner of Baseball of an Independent Investigation into the Illegal use of Steroids and Other Performance Enhancing Substances by Players in Major League Baseball” (“The Mitchell Report”) contained information that contradicted Tejada’s denials of steroid use among professional baseball players.

In 2003, Adam Piatt's locker was located next to Tejada's in the Oakland Athletics clubhouse. According to Piatt, Tejada asked specifically if he had any steroids. Piatt believed that Tejada asked him because Piatt was in good shape and generally friendly with him.

Piatt had several conversations with Tejada before a transaction occurred. Piatt admitted he had access to steroids and human growth hormone and agreed to obtain them for Tejada. Piatt recalled that he provided Tejada with testosterone or Deca-Durabolin, as well as human growth hormone. Piatt emphasized that he did not know whether Tejada actually used the substances.

Piatt's bank provided two checks deposited into Piatt's account that had been written to him from Miguel Tejada. The checks are dated March 21,2003 and are in the amounts of 53,100 and $3,200 respectively.

In light of the apparent contradictions, the leading steroid grandstander in Congress, Henry Waxman, requested that the Justice Department investigate whether Tejada lied to the House committee regarding his connections to Rafael Palmeiro. Palmeiro had accused Tejada of giving him a contaminated bottle of injectable Vitamin B-12 that allegedly caused him to test positive for stanozolol, the active ingredient in Winstrol. The government could not prove that Tejada ever used testosterone, Deca Durabolin or HGH; so they sought to prove he lied about ever talking to his teammate Adam Piatt about steroids.

Once the government obtained a conviction via Tejada’s guilty plea, federal prosecutors had nothing but praise for Miguel Tejada. U.S. Attorney Steven Durham thought Tejada was a wonderful and inspirational person who did not deserve to go to jail (but apparently only deserved to be subject to steroid trial in the court of public opinion):

He overcame extremely difficult economic circumstances in his childhood and, through considerable effort and dedication, became distinguished in his chosen profession. Others in his profession have described him as hard working, caring, and willing to share his time and knowledge with younger players and members of the public. He has given back to the community in which he was raised. He has maintained steady employment as a professional baseball player since 1993 and has been able to earn a substantial amount of money, a portion of which he has given to his father and his extended family in the Dominican Republic. He continues his ability to work, earn a regular income, and make positive contributions to society.

The praise of Tejada’s inspirational life story leads one to question why the government chose to prosecute Tejada in the first place. U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Alan Kay provides the answer and explained that Miguel Tejada’s misrepresentations to Congress threatened to jeopardize the entire institution of professional baseball!

"Your achievements do not minimize the seriousness of the violation that brings you before the court," Judge Kay told Tejada. According to Judge Kay, Congressional committees investigating steroids in baseball "were trying to protect the support that provides you and your fellow baseball players with a living."

Miguel Tejada apparently thwarted Congressional investigators who had the noble goal of protecting baseball from destruction by the villainous enemy represented by steroids.

It is beyond laughable that the government takes the steroid witch-hunt in baseball so seriously. The use of anabolic steroids in professional baseball has been a focal issue for Congressional leaders and federal prosecutors for several years. Prosecutors have somehow justified pursuing the relatively trivial issue of steroids in sports in spite of several major economic and financial issues facing our country. The government has found it worthwhile to pursue not only athletes who lie about their alleged steroid use but also athletes lie about fellow teammates who use steroids.

Sources

“Tejada sentenced to probation, community service,” March 26, 2009

“Tejada To Plead He Lied In Inquiry,” February 11, 2009

“FBI Begins Preliminary Inquiry Into Miguel Tejada's Steroids Testimony,” January 17, 2008

“Miguel Tejada excerpt from Mitchell Report,” December 13, 2007

By Millard Baker

http://www.millardbaker.com

www.steroidsrx.com