No bail for steroid sting suspect, By: Teresa Stepzinski
Pennsylvania man arrested in Glynn on probation in New Jersey
8/7/07
BRUNSWICK - A Pennsylvania man snared in a federal sting operation targeting steroid traffickers nationwide will remain jailed in Southeast Georgia while awaiting trial.
Brian C. Parker, 23, of Bethlehem, is charged with distributing anabolic steroids from "rogue manufacturers" in China, as well as selling homemade male sexual performance drugs to undercover narcotics agents posing as customers in Glynn County.
After hearing testimony on the scope of the federal investigation, U.S. Magistrate James Graham ordered Parker jailed without bail on Monday pending trial. Graham also cited the fact that Parker is already on probation for a prior steroid distribution case in New Jersey.
"Mr. Parker will be detained without bond because he has demonstrated an inability or unwillingness to comply with the court of Hunterdon County, N.J.," Graham said.
Parker pleaded not guilty July 31 to federal charges of conspiracy to possess and distribute anabolic steroids and distribution of anabolic steroids.
He is the second man in less than a month to face federal charges stemming from the portion of the sting operation conducted in Glynn County during April and May.
David Paul Jack, 32, of Homosassa, Fla., pleaded not guilty July 17 to the same federal charges as Parker albeit for a different incident.
At that time, Graham ordered Jack jailed without bail until his trial.
Both Parker and Jack are linked to the same source and distribution network of illegal steroids coming into the United States from China, sworn affidavits from investigators and other court documents show.
A federal grand jury in Savannah charged the men in separate indictments.
Graham questioned the government last week about the extent of the steroid distribution in Glynn or the other 42 counties making up the U.S. Southern District of Georgia.
There is no indication that Parker or Jack had any prior connection to this area, FBI Special Agent Tony Alig testified.
There was also no evidence that steroids had been sent to the area before the sting operation, Alig said.
Both Parker and Jack could have been prosecuted in other federal jurisdictions, Alig replied to additional questions from Graham.
The men's arrest stems from an ongoing investigation involving the FBI, U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Parker, alias Livestronger, used an encrypted e-mail system to broker the sale and distribution of steroids as well as the sexual enhancement drugs, Alig testified.
Undercover agents posing as customers negotiated to buy steroids and "homemade Viagra" from Parker via a series of encrypted e-mails, Alig testified.
On May 2, an agent in Brunswick received a package from Parker containing 100 vials of liquid anabolic steroids plus 1,000 tablets of "homemade Viagra," Alig testified.
As the sting continued, agents began monitoring the Lehigh Valley, Pa., post office where packages had been traced to Parker, according to the court documents.
"On May 15, he received a package from China containing 20 kilos [44 pounds] of steroids, which had a street value of $300,000," Alig testified.
Parker was arrested May 22, four days after police seized a large cache of pills, liquid-filled vials and "three industrial pill presses used for the manufacture of steroid pills for individual consumption," the documents said.
Fonda Dixon, a federal probation officer, testified that Parker has a criminal record including arrests for endangering the welfare of a child, and possession and distribution of steroids,
Parker currently is on 12-month pretrial intervention probation stemming from a New Jersey charge of distribution and possession of a controlled substance - steroids, Dixon testified.
That charge resulted from Parker having 200 doses of steroids in 2005, Dixon said.
Jack, known by the alias "Worldwide," is charged with distributing 1,050 grams of steroids May 24 to an undercover officer with the Glynn-Brunswick Narcotics Enforcement Team, who was posing as a customer in the federal sting.
Jack also has a criminal record including arrests and probation violations for possessing and selling marijuana, cruelty to children and aggravated battery of a pregnant woman, Alig previously testified.
Both the federal conspiracy and distribution of steroids charges are punishable by up to five years in federal prison plus up to a $250,000 fine.
If convicted, Parker and Jack each would have to serve at least 85 percent of any prison sentence because there is no federal parole.
No trial dates have been set for either of the men.
