IFBB Pros Involved in Steroid Investigation

[Chick]

What do you have to say for yourself Bob Chick?

Steroids case pharmacist gets 4 years in prison in Mobile case with ties to pro sports, wrestling
Published: Friday, August 13, 2010, 5:23 PM     Updated: Friday, August 13, 2010, 6:02 PM
 Brendan Kirby, Press-Register
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MOBILE, Ala. -- A federal judge today handed down a 4-year prison term to a local pharmacist convicted of participating in a nationwide conspiracy to illegally sell anabolic steroids made in Mobile.
   
J. Michael Bennett, who was supervising pharmacist at Applied Pharmacy Services, was the first to be sentenced from a group of 5 men found guilty after a five-week trial earlier this year. His punishment was less than half of the 7 years and 4 months sought by prosecutors.
   

View full sizeJ. Michael Bennett ... gets four years in steroids case."I stand before you a different man than the one who worked for APS in 2005, even than the one who stood before the magistrate (judge) in 2007," a chastened Bennett told U.S. District Judge Ginny Granade. "I had no idea what I was doing was inappropriate."
   
Bennett's co-defendants, the owners of the pharmacy and an anti-aging clinic owner, are scheduled to be sentenced at a later date, and Granade suggested they face stiffer punishment.
   
"I don't think in the overall scheme of things, (Bennett's) culpability matches that of the pharmacy owners," the judge said.
   
Prosecutors referred to Bennett, 44, and the others in a sentencing memorandum as a "drug dealers in lab coats." They contended that Bennett played a key role in an enterprise involving rogue doctors and health clinics across the country who used the compounding pharmacy to supply healthy adults with dangerous steroids.
   
Some of those substances were veterinary drugs approved only for use in livestock.
   
"These are steroids for horses and cows, not for young people and humans," Assistant U.S. Attorney Donna Dobbins said.
   
According to court records, Applied Pharmacy Services shipped 762,388 dosages to 17 doctors and clinics from April 4, 2004, until Aug. 30, 2006. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Mobile contends that does not include many other doctors and clinics that they say participated in the conspiracy.
   
Those performance-enhancing drugs ended up in the hands of users ranging from professional athletes to teenagers looking to build body mass. Prosecutors cited 22 professional athletes who obtained steroids from Applied Pharmacy Services during the time Bennett worked there.
   
 In court today, Dobbins named seven whose orders included Bennett's signature or initials:
   

Shane Carwin, a former NCAA Division II wrestling champion who went on to become an Ultimate Fighting heavyweight champion.
   

Kurt Angle, a former Olympic gold medal-winning wrestler and professional wrestler.
   

Bob Howard, a pro wrestler from Mobile who performed under the name "Hardcore" Bob Holly.
   

Tony Freeman, a professional bodybuilder nicknamed "The X-Man."
   

Quincy Taylor, a professional bodybuilder.
   

Dennis Newman, a professional bodybuilder.
   

Troy Zuccolotto, a professional bodybuilder.
   
Court documents reference 6 other professional bodybuilders, 7 professional wrestlers and 2 professional baseball players by their initials only.
   
Dobbins pointed to intercepted phone conversations showing Bennett taking an active role in the operation, speaking with co-defendant Brett W. Branch, who brokered many of the steroids sales.
   
"As the supervising pharmacist, he was the one in charge," she said. "We expect and rely on the pharmacist to make sure what we are given is save, effective and legal."
   
Dobbins pointed to testimony from about a half-dozen people who described side effects ranging from an intense burning feeling on their flesh to shrinkage of their testicles to depression to quarter-sized acne on their backs.
   
Dobbins said users "suffered severe -- in some cases permanent -- side effects."

What do I have to say for myself?  Nothing...I'm not involved.

As for the BBers....so, their great crime is having perscriptions from a pharmacist filled?

We MUST wipe the earth clean from these great crimes against humanity!!!

[Van_Bilderass]

Zuccolotto is a pro.

He renews his card every year despite not competing for God knows how long? Chick usually doesn't count as pros those who don't renew their cards.

[Lundgren]

So you're against "big business".  Are you a socialist or communist?  As an American I think Capitalism and free trade are good things.

Bahaha epic understanding of your values. The prison system is part of government spending. Which is corrupt and is a free monopoly for big business, no capitalist is a fan of monopolies handed to a select few. It's just bad bad all round, the only people that win are the people that are building the prisons. It hurts the net economy, and is just a sign of miss management and myopic greed. 

[Coach is Back!]

He renews his card every year despite not competing for God knows how long? Chick usually doesn't count as pros those who don't renew their cards.

Thats ridiculous. I have a hard time believing that. You win a pro qualifier, you're a pro unless there's something that says you have to re-qualify.

[Van_Bilderass]

Thats ridiculous. I have a hard time believing that. You win a pro qualifier, you're a pro unless there's something that says you have to re-qualify.

That's what he usually says. This or that pro I wont help with whatever problem since he isn't a pro because he doesn't have a current card.

[MAXX]

"Anti aging clinics" 

[LMV]

What do I have to say for myself?  Nothing...I'm not involved.

As for the BBers....so, their great crime is having perscriptions from a pharmacist filled?

We MUST wipe the earth clean from these great crimes against humanity!!!

what about the children bob ?

what about those hundreds of thousands innocent little angels who go out every day to do neighbourhood chaors just so they can earn some extra cash to buy posters of their favourite rolemodels ?

don't you think they deserve better bob, have you no heart at all ?

[American Muscle]

its all a business.........prison industrial complex, big pharma............americ a has turned into a disdainful country in the most Orwellian sense of the word

there is no freedom here

So you're against "big business".  Are you a socialist or communist?  As an American I think Capitalism and free trade are good things.

Spoken like a person who's never been busted on BS charges.

[WEIBK]

 I LIKE THE AMERICAN LAW, AND ALL COUNTRIES MUST FOLLOW SUCH RULES, IN ORDER TO CONTROL THE DRUGS DEALERS, AND ABUSERS. AND STOP CHEATING TO KEEP THE SPORT CLEAN FROM DRUGS, WHICH HAS VERY BAD SIDE EFECTS ON THE USERS, AS WILL COST A LOT OF MONEY, AND LEAD TO DEATH. HOW MANY ATHLETES DIED FROM DEUGS?

[Chick]

He renews his card every year despite not competing for God knows how long? Chick usually doesn't count as pros those who don't renew their cards.

Former pro, I believe wouldd be the correct title.

[The_Hammer]

Former pro, I believe wouldd be the correct title.

7 other unamed bodybuilders as well.

Are you clean Chick?

[Chick]

7 other unamed bodybuilders as well.

Are you clean Chick?

LOL...guaranteed Im not on any list

[Howard]

LOL...guaranteed Im not on any list

Maybe there is a long shot chance that some form of legal steroid use under a doc's care will come about from this?
Frankly , I am sick of the witchhunt on this issue. Shoot, these guys were with a medical doctor , right?
I don't see how the DEA can bust but these guys UNLESS the doc broke the prescription drug laws?
I know guys like Zuco and Freeman are over 40 yrs of age, that qualifies for hormone replacement therapy and is 100% legal?
When all is said and done, I don't see where the "public harm " is on this issue with adult pro athletes??!!

[~UN_$ung~]

What do I have to say for myself?  Nothing...I'm not involved.

As for the BBers....so, their great crime is having perscriptions from a pharmacist filled?

We MUST wipe the earth clean from these great crimes against humanity!!!

LOL, some of the people on here just make me speechless with their stupidity


what kind of idiot would take that article..........and then post "what do you have to say for yourself bob chick"

like bob has anything to do with it.........


when a-rod admitted to steroids use did you send a letter to derek jeter saying "what do yo have to say for yourself"

7 other unamed bodybuilders as well.

Are you clean Chick?

i think you are the biggest loser i have even come across on getbig.........i've came across very few people in life, who EVERYTHING they say is retarded............but EVERYTHING that comes out of your mouth makes you an embarrassment

[The Showstoppa]

Getting your panties in a bunch and blaming the judge is so typical.  All he did was interpret the law, you wanna get pissed take it out on the legislative branch (you know, the ones who actually make the laws.....doubt some of you even know that).  Not to mention the DA's office who are the ones who decide if they want to prosecute a case.

[MCWAY]

Let me answer for him. This just shows all pro bodybuilders go about it the right way, via prescription (and OTC stuff such as Humalog). They did nothing wrong. Furthermore, Zuccolotto and Newman aren't pros.

I think he won the Nationals or the USAs when I was a kid.

Troy Zuccolotto won the Nationals and the Universe in 1989. He later went pro with the WBF and joined the IFBB in 1994.

Dennis Newman won the USA in 1994. Shortly afterward, he was diagnosed with leukemia. He did his chemo, dropped to 210 lbs. After the worst was over he regain some of his size and got a special invite to the Olympia in 1996.

[~UN_$ung~]

Getting your panties in a bunch and blaming the judge is so typical.  All he did was interpret the law, you wanna get pissed take it out on the legislative branch (you know, the ones who actually make the laws.....doubt some of you even know that).  Not to mention the DA's office who are the ones who decide if they want to prosecute a case.

I agree, but unfortunately we have far too many biased judges in america legislating from the bench

[Howard]

Getting your panties in a bunch and blaming the judge is so typical.  All he did was interpret the law, you wanna get pissed take it out on the legislative branch (you know, the ones who actually make the laws.....doubt some of you even know that).  Not to mention the DA's office who are the ones who decide if they want to prosecute a case.

The is what I always try to say when this issue is brought up after a drug bust related to steroid use.
If bodybuilders and athletes made the laws , steroids would be legal...BUT WE DON'T make the law!
Obviously, I think the steroid laws are stupid. But telling the judge you don't like the law is  a lousy defense.
Until the steroid laws get changed we have a subtsance (steroids) that is ILLEGAL to use/have.
If you have to use roids to compete , you are going to have to risk breaking the law.

[gh15]

The is what I always try to say when this issue is brought up after a drug bust related to steroid use.
If bodybuilders and athletes made the laws , steroids would be legal...BUT WE DON'T make the law!
Obviously, I think the steroid laws are stupid. But telling the judge you don't like the law is  a lousy defense.
Until the steroid laws get changed we have a subtsance (steroids) that is ILLEGAL to use/have.
If you have to use roids to compete , you are going to have to risk breaking the law.

not possible to cut on the drugs needed for bodybuilding competition and to be honest in general only to look very good in todays levels of bodybuilding,,today you cant get by with testosterone only,,you need everything,,you will be stuck at very dissapointing look if only use testosterona,,a guy on tren eq and masteron used in addition to the test will wipe the floor with you because you will have LESS SHAPE than him ,,he wil be able to maintain low body fat or remain the same ,,while you will get thick but proportionaly increase bf% or water or both,,


when i say you can eat whatever you want ,, IT IS ONLY WHEN YOURE ON GROWTH HORMONE,,yes you can eat more dirty  on aas ,,but there is a limit to that ,,only when  gh added is when you can act like normal human being but also not during prep,,

the reason you see so many big fellas now days is because they stuff food in with lots of calories because they are on gh and it forgives big time ,,forgive 3 times more than test eq tren forgives,,

with out drugs in bodybuilding ,,the competitors will be 190 lb ,,mr o will be 185 lb at 6 %  if he is 5'9,,he may have goo dmuscle shape and nice symetry and proportions but you wil be bigger than him ,,that doesnt bring crowd ,,no one wanna watch it ,,big huge diff between 220 lb and 185lb,,infact when you have one fella 190lb and the other 185lb at same body fat ,,thats a huge difference,,5 lb of lean muscle mass is  BIG DIFFERENCE

gh15 approved

[Howard]

not possible to cut on the drugs needed for bodybuilding competition and to be honest in general only to look very good in todays levels of bodybuilding,,today you cant get by with testosterone only,,you need everything,,you will be stuck at very dissapointing look if only use testosterona,,a guy on tren eq and masteron used in addition to the test will wipe the floor with you because you will have LESS SHAPE than him ,,he wil be able to maintain low body fat or remain the same ,,while you will get thick but proportionaly increase bf% or water or both,,


when i say you can eat whatever you want ,, IT IS ONLY WHEN YOURE ON GROWTH HORMONE,,yes you can eat more dirty  on aas ,,but there is a limit to that ,,only when  gh added is when you can act like normal human being but also not during prep,,

the reason you see so many big fellas now days is because they stuff food in with lots of calories because they are on gh and it forgives big time ,,forgive 3 times more than test eq tren forgives,,

with out drugs in bodybuilding ,,the competitors will be 190 lb ,,mr o will be 185 lb at 6 %  if he is 5'9,,he may have goo dmuscle shape and nice symetry and proportions but you wil be bigger than him ,,that doesnt bring crowd ,,no one wanna watch it ,,big huge diff between 220 lb and 185lb,,infact when you have one fella 190lb and the other 185lb at same body fat ,,thats a huge difference,,5 lb of lean muscle mass is  BIG DIFFERENCE

gh15 approved

I am  saying they would OBVIOUSLY be less massive and freakish without the same drugs , doah!
BUT is it worth the pros risking  jail for that look? Not to me.

[io856]

I am  saying they would OBVIOUSLY be less massive and freakish without the same drugs , doah!
BUT is it worth the pros risking  jail for that look? Not to me.

Yes it is.


But chances are slim anyway.

[gh15]

I am  saying they would OBVIOUSLY be less massive and freakish without the same drugs , doah!
BUT is it worth the pros risking  jail for that look? Not to me.

there is no risk,,the moment you see one fella get arrested for personal use of 5 vials of any hormone,,thats the time the end will come for bodybuilding,,le all know abotu personal use and does it themselves,,they have no problem with it ,,if le wanted you would be little men ,,you got to understand that you have jason walking around like a pharmacy on mega doses of illegal activity and so any top amatuer and pro and they still keep their head OUT OF JAIL,,many many from dexter to jason and inbetween  including many top amatuer like the winner of usa that work with a serious drug dealer,,the DRUG DEALER GOT THE PROBLEM NOT THE PERSONAL USER,,

if any one got arrested for personal use it will first and formost be jason cutler foro the mega doses he does and the severe use of wrongly presicribed drugs,,you see him in prison? good,,

the reason we got this mis understanding is because on every serious bodybuilder there is the dealer that claim to be a bodybuilder,,and get arrested for 10000s of ampoles,,because he did a favor for a friend,,,look into the arnold from this board case,,you will see the fella was a dealer ,,major one with connections,,thats why he was taken down ,,

most dealers also have a hand and foot in narcotics ,,checked!

le is not dumb and so are the judges who give the search ,,they wont move their ass for personal use ,,you gotta order many times and get cought many times to have problems,,you got to be stupid enough to accept special delivery  that is controlled inorder to be cought ,,you wont even do controlled delivery unless you know its repetetive orders of more than few vials,,
usually 7000...

gh15 approved

[Playboy]

As if the world doesn't have worse problems. The witch hunt continues with the tax payers dollars...

[Howard]

Yes it is.


But chances are slim anyway.

This is the typical "head in the sand " denial. Trust me, the DEA and poltical will is pretty strong in support of this "witch hunt".
Just because we in BB think it retarded doesn't mean they will leave us alone, c'mon THINK.
Is there any steroid support lobby in congress, demanding a change in the steroid drug laws? NO! nothing, nada.
Shoot, even the IFBB's own pro bodybuilding rules ban steroids and related drugs.
The fact that their is some actual chance you could get busted is NOT sensible for any sport.
I can't support any policy or action in any sport that requires one to break the law.

[Howard]

there is no risk,,the moment you see one fella get arrested for personal use of 5 vials of any hormone,,thats the time the end will come for bodybuilding,,le all know abotu personal use and does it themselves,,they have no problem with it ,,if le wanted you would be little men ,,you got to understand that you have jason walking around like a pharmacy on mega doses of illegal activity and so any top amatuer and pro and they still keep their head OUT OF JAIL,,many many from dexter to jason and inbetween  including many top amatuer like the winner of usa that work with a serious drug dealer,,the DRUG DEALER GOT THE PROBLEM NOT THE PERSONAL USER,,

if any one got arrested for personal use it will first and formost be jason cutler foro the mega doses he does and the severe use of wrongly presicribed drugs,,you see him in prison? good,,

the reason we got this mis understanding is because on every serious bodybuilder there is the dealer that claim to be a bodybuilder,,and get arrested for 10000s of ampoles,,because he did a favor for a friend,,,look into the arnold from this board case,,you will see the fella was a dealer ,,major one with connections,,thats why he was taken down ,,

most dealers also have a hand and foot in narcotics ,,checked!

le is not dumb and so are the judges who give the search ,,they wont move their ass for personal use ,,you gotta order many times and get cought many times to have problems,,you got to be stupid enough to accept special delivery  that is controlled inorder to be cought ,,you wont even do controlled delivery unless you know its repetetive orders of more than few vials,,
usually 7000...

gh15 approved

The reality is that most "hardcore drug useing bodybuilders" will use the services of a some kind drug dealer to get the number and type of drugs needed to compete on a pro or elite level.