News of bodybuilding enthusiasts involved in selling steroids is common. However, others are now engaging into manufacturing of these drugs for higher profit. But since these activities are considered illegal, they usually land in jail. A recent example is the case of a competitive bodybuilder in Ohio. After his arrest and pleaded guilty to the charges, the bodybuilder was sentenced to 4 years in prison plus huge fine.

The home of Jeffery M. Storch, 41, a bodybuilder, was raided by the authorities last May. The police found in his Union Township home 5 lbs. of marijuana and a pot growing operation. Several anabolic steroids and ingredients were also seized which according to the authorities can be manufactured into hundreds of doses of steroids. Storch pleaded guilty to some of the charges in November. According to the report of Cincinnati.com, there were a total of 8 charges but 6 were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

Steroids Needed in Competition

Storch competed nationally as a bodybuilder and owns a gym in Clermont County. He admitted to using steroids since 1993. His use of the substance was due to the pressure and demand of the sport that he was into. “He realized that to compete at the national level, you have to use steroids,” said defense attorney Ronald Seibel during the hearing. “Mr. Storch was just a ripped muscle mass.”

Storch’s lawyer tried to get a more lenient sentence by trying to convince the judge that the steroids and marijuana were just for personal use of his client. “Everybody on the national level uses steroids. He was provoked by competition,” said Seibel. He said that his client never offered these steroids for sale to 17 year olds in local high schools. He also argued that the marijuana was used to make his client relax after training.

However, Judge William Walker of Common Pleas Court reiterated that while Storch might have been influenced to take steroids to compete he still committed a crime. “I do not agree that you have led a law-abiding life. You have been using these drugs for a very long time,” the judge said. The judge’s decision was also based on the status of the bodybuilder. He told Storch that he is an example to many other people in the community. “Your occupation was likely to influence other people,” he added.

The judge sentenced Storch to 4 years and required to pay a fine of $15,000. He was also required to reimburse the Clermont County Narcotics Unit for the costs of the laboratory tests worth $1,440. The authorities will also monitor the bodybuilder for 3 years after he served his sentence. He will be subjected to regular testing for steroids.

Storch already lost friends and clients as a result of his indictment said his lawyers. He already transferred ownership of the gym. Storch told the court that he was remorseful or regretful for all the people that he has caused damage. “I’ve damaged my business with this. I can’t express how sorry I am for my pursuit of the body building just blindly over the years,” Storch said.

Another Bodybuilder Acquitted

Meanwhile, another bodybuilder who was also charged for conspiring to sell steroids was found not guilty of the court. The Newcastle Crown Court in UK acquitted Sergeant Darren Towers of the charges. Towers admitted that he used anabolic steroids because he is a competitive bodybuilder. He believed that the importation and possession of steroids for personal use was not illegal.

He started to use anabolic steroids in 2006 when he became active in bodybuilding competitions. “Everything I had come across indicated it was a class C drug and possession and importation for personal use was permitted. I made inquiries on muscle forums and checked the police national database,” Towers told the court. “I decided to take anabolic steroids to compete in bodybuilding,” he added.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS