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Six Charged with Trafficking Counterfeit Steroids
BOSTON – In a brazen scheme to sell fake steroids to bodybuilders across the country, six individuals have been arrested and charged in federal court in Boston.
The defendants, Tyler Bauman, Kathryn Green, Philip Goodwin, Robert Medeiros, Brian Petzke, and Melissa Sclafani, are accused of conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit drugs and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
According to the criminal complaint, the defendants produced and marketed the counterfeit steroids using raw materials and supplies purchased from overseas, including from China. They marketed the steroids on social media, claiming they were made by ‘Onyx Pharmaceuticals,’ a pharmaceutical company owned by Amgen, Inc.
The Onyx name and symbols were allegedly used to deceive customers into thinking they were purchasing legitimate steroids. Bauman, who promoted the steroids through his social media persona ‘musclehead 320,’ even claimed to be ‘sponsored’ by ‘Onyx.’
The group allegedly laundered funds and purchased supplies for the conspiracy through Wicked Tan, a tanning salon in Beverly that Bauman, Goodwin, and Sclafani owned.
The charge of conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit drugs carries a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain/loss, whichever is greater.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances provides a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $500,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater.
The defendants are scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Boston at 3:00 p.m. Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and other law enforcement officials made the announcement today.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Massachusetts State Police; Boston Police Department; Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Police Department; Customs and Border Protection; and Lynn, Shrewsbury, Gloucester, Saugus, and Gardner Police Departments.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy Harman Burkart and David J. D’Addio are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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