Notice how they always seem to have rec's involved:
Suspect arrested on steroids charges
By PAUL SHUKOVSKY
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER
Federal agents and Snohomish County Regional Drug Task Force investigators arrested a Marysville man yesterday morning on charges that he trafficked in anabolic steroids, used by athletes to build muscle mass.
Franklin C. Witter, 45, allegedly distributed steroids such as testosterone as well as narcotic pain medications such as oxycodone through two gyms in south Snohomish County, according to Sgt. John Flood of the task force.
Some of those distributing the drugs were personal trainers in Snohomish and King County gyms and fitness centers, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Seattle. It was unclear yesterday whether Witter works as a personal trainer. Family members present at a court hearing yesterday declined to answer questions.
Flood said the investigation began with a tip to law enforcement from a confidential informant. Investigators responded by sending uncover officers to the gyms where they posed as members "looking to get hooked up with anabolic steroids." Flood declined to identify the gyms, but said that they were cooperating with law enforcement.
A federal indictment also accuses Witter of laundering money involved with the purchase of the drugs by illegally transferring at least $100,000 to Mexico. Investigators say the drugs were imported to the United States from Tijuana, Mexico, and distributed mainly "in Snohomish County, but also as far south as Portland and as far east as Moses Lake."
U.S. Magistrate Judge Monica Benton ordered Witter held pending a detention hearing on Monday. If found guilty, he faces up to 20 years in prison on each of the two charges.
The indictment also charges Edward John Suden, 45, of Edmonds with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. He was arrested yesterday afternoon and is scheduled to appear in court this morning.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/...teroids02.html
