Bodybuilder Richard “Andy” Thomas said he only wanted to be like his hero, Arnold Schwarzenegger, which is why he got into steroids in the first place. Currently detained in jail, Thomas told the Daily News that in high school, he was too small to get admitted to any sports and was inspired to bulk up to emulate the bodybuilding champion and Hollywood movie star, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is also the governor of California. He found steroids to be the the answer to his dreams and eventually became a dealer.

Based in Florida, Thomas was arrested after authorities raided his home in Lakeland and found $200,000 worth of steroids and other banned substances. After the arrest, Thomas allegedly told the detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office that he was the largest steroid dealer in Central Florida, saying further that he provided performance-enhancing drugs to big-league athletes particularly members of the Washington Capitals and the Washington Nationals. During an interview with the Daily News at the Polk County jail, however, Thomas declined to comment on or elaborate his statements. He did make a promise that he will share details of his dealings with sports figures once he is released. Thomas boldly claimed that he will divulge a huge story if he is released from jail.

Florida Circuit Judge Robert Williams was not impressed and nearly doubled the bond set for Thomas’s release from $215,000 to $425,000. During the court hearing, Thomas appeared via video from the county jail and was represented by a public defender. Thomas requested from Williams that he retain his own lawyer even if he did not have an income. He told the court that his father had money and will see if he can help him out.

Thomas, age 35, together with his wife, Sandra, age 49, were arrested after federal agents intercepted a package in Philadelphia which contained steroids and was addressed to the Thomas’s Lakeland home, coming from an overseas shipper. After the arrest, Sandra Thomas posted a $215,000 bond and was released last Wednesday. Both Sandra and Richard were charged with 10 counts of possession with intent to distribute, one count for maintaining a dwelling for drug sales, and 10 counts for importation of a banned substance.

The National Hockey League and Major League Baseball were quick to conduct an investigation over the allegations and concerned law enforcement officials said that they were not in any position to release any specific names that may implicate any athletes, which Thomas may or may not have identified. Thomas’ clientele will still be investigated after examining his home computer and reviewing the mountains of documents seized from his home, commented Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

In addition to steroids and other illegal substances, the authorities also found prescription drugs, shotguns, an AR-15 assault rifle, and numerous semi-automatic handguns. Sheriff Judd said that Thomas was nice to the deputies and volunteered information, saying that he kept the guns at his home because he was paranoid about getting ripped off. Thomas also allegedly told detectives that he had imported steroids and other materials from China, Iran, Pakistan, Mexico, Russia, Germany, and Spain and sold drugs to professional athletes from every sport that can be named.

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