18 Central Florida men charged in international steroid trafficking ring

[F.I.S.T.]

18 Central Florida men charged in international steroid trafficking ring


An investigation into an international illegal steroid trafficking ring rooted in Seminole County ended in federal charges against 18 men who functioned as organizers, manufacturers and shippers in the internet-based operation, federal officials announced Wednesday.

The members of the trafficking ring are accused of shipping illegal steroids — including oral capsules and oil-based injectable steroids — to customers throughout the U.S. and internationally between April 2012 and August 2014.

"The orders were made through websites maintained in foreign countries, and the steroids were processed and sent to customers from Central Florida via the United States Mail," a U.S. Attorney's Office news release said.

Some of the men are facing a maximum 20 years in prison for conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances charges.

Others are charged with conspiracy to conduct international money laundering, which carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence.

The U.S. Attorney's Office alleges that some of the men sent money to China to purchase raw steroids and others picked up the profit from the drug sales.

The ring members allegedly disguised their participation by using fake names and identities, using different post offices across the country and using Money Gram and Western Union to receive money from the drug sales at various locations in Central Florida.

"The indictment also notifies the defendants that the United States is seeking a money judgment in the amount of the proceeds of the drug trafficking and money laundering offenses," the release said.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Marshals Service investigated this case.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...icking-ring-bust-seminole-20150617-story.html

 

[F.I.S.T.]

ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35 ORLANDO) - Eighteen people were indicted in a steroid trafficking ring. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, orders were made through websites maintained in foreign countries, then set to customers through the mail. Once in Central Florida, they were often sold right on the street.

David Arroyo, 40; Vincent Sperti, 36; John Walker, 41; Jeffrey Berrios, 43; Hunter Rawls, 36; Jeffrey Walker, 22; Jason Bergstresser, 26; Christopher Eaddy, 43; Allison Eaddy, 32; John Erber, 41; Brea Tato, 40; Eric Boccard, 41; and Robert Gonzalez, 42 are charged with conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Along with Arroyo and Sperti, Guillermo Otero, 31; David Centeno, 29; Steven Groden, 36; Melissa Sperti,33; and Santiago Rios, 41 are charged with conspiracy to conduct international money laundering.

Arroyo, also known as "Big D," is the first name listed on the document.

"Arroyo was the main guy. Sperti was the number two. They were the two ringleaders in this whole thing," DEA Agent Jeff Walsh explained.

Agent Walsh says the organization was in business for the last five years. The people allegedly involved in the trafficking ring reside in Orlando, Lake Mary, Longwood, Heathrow, Winter Springs, Deltona, and Mount Dora.

"They were acquiring the steroids and or the material to make the steroids via the mail from China, and that is where the U.S. Postal Service is a key component to the operation."

He says the steroids were sold on the streets, parking lots, gyms and individual homes. According to Walsh warehouses were set up in the Orlando area to manufacture and house the illegal drugs, which included oral capsules and injectable steroids.

"It wasn't a small steroids in the gym operations. They made a million dollars a year for the last five years."

He says steroids affect the hormones and temperament causing agitation among people in the community.

"One of the significant by products of steroids is 'roid rage.' We know it affects personality and these people are using steroids, and they're driving cars and going to work under that influence so it becomes a safety issue," said Walsh.

According to the indictment, members used fake names and false identities, as well as different postal facilities to pick up money and drugs throughout Central Florida.

Besides the U.S. Postal Service, Walsh also credits the U.S. Marshals Office and FDA for assisting in the investigation .

"The methods they were using to remit the money back to China were violations of Federal money laundering laws."

If convicted, each could face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

http://www.myfoxorlando.com/story/29348004/18-arrested-in-alleged-steroid-trafficking-ring"]http://www.myfoxorlando.com/story/29...afficking-ring