Canby police officers were already sanctioned for their illegal use of anabolic steroids. Their chief also resigned after trying to protect his officers during the investigation. However, the FBI investigation on the illegal use of steroids by police officers does not end in Canby police department. In the latest development of the case, federal investigators told the Oregon Live that the information provided to them by the steroid supplier lead to other police departments and one of them is in Portland area.

William J. Traverso, the supplier of steroids for several police officers cooperated with the investigators by identifying other officers who were involved in the use of performance enhancing drugs. Of course his help was also rewarded by giving him lighter penalty for his illegal steroid operation. This was the demand of John Henry Hingson III, the defense lawyer of Traverso. He urged the court to reward his client for his cooperation by sentencing him to community service.

One of his reasons is the danger that his client will be facing if given a jail term. He told the court that Traverso testified against cops. “Deason has one strike against him in jail. He’s an ex-cop,” Hingson said. “Traverso has two strikes against him. He’s a snitch, and he’s somebody that fingered cops,” Hingson added. The lawyer also pointed out that his client is still willing to help federal investigators in identifying police officers who are using steroids in the Portland police department.

Based on court records, the FBI Special Agent Christopher Frazier told the Clackamas County judge that Traverso already gave the full details of his drug distribution activities. “The public safety employees identified by Traverso included law enforcement officers, corrections officers, fire and rescue personnel and university public safety officers. Several spin-off FBI public corruption investigations were initiated as a result of these allegations, and are ongoing,” said Frazier.

The OregonLive identified one police officer from Portland who was already questioned by federal investigators. He is Sgt. Charles Brown who also resides in Canby. He declined to comment on the case when asked by the media. “I’m not at liberty to discuss anything,” Brown said.

William Traverso was sentenced 15 days in jail, 30 days electronic home detention and 24 months probation. The district attorney however argued that Traverso should at least spend 30 days in jail. Michael Wu said that Traverso’s crime and effect on the community deserve a jail sanction.

Judge Douglas V. Van Dyck applauded Traverso for cooperating with the FBI in pinpointing officers who were buying steroids from him. “Good, that’s the way it should be, because this community should stand no corruption in those charged to uphold the law. When a police officer operates outside the law, one or two, it can undermine the noble work of thousands of officers,” the Clackamas County judge said.

Traverso is a former competitive bodybuilder and used steroids to attain his bodybuilding physique. He was a former “Mr. Oregon” but was later addicted in the use of methamphetamine.

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