BIG PENN STEROID BUST

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Back on November 24, 2009 10 suspects were arrested for their alleged involvement in the manufacture, use, and distribution of steroids throughout Dauphin, Cumberland, Lehigh and Northampton counties, said Attorney General Tom Corbett during a press conference in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Narcotics agents quietly began the investigation, known as “Operation Roid Runner”, in late 2007 which tracked the smuggling of +$170,000USD of steroids from China and Mexico into Pennsylvania. As disclosed before a grand jury, the Asian and Mexican steroids came in both injectable and tablet form.

Defendants include:
1- Stacy Garonzik; age 38 of 110-C W. Vine St., Shiremanstown
Charged with (a) one count of delivery of steroids, (b) one count of possession with intent to deliver steroids, (c) one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity and, (d) one count of criminal conspiracy.
Note: Allegedly injected clients in their gym – Kinetics

2- Eric Garonzik; age 39 of 3404 Lisburn Road, Mechanicsburg
Charged with (a) one count of delivery of steroids, (b) one count of possession with intent to deliver steroids, (c) one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity and, (d) one count of criminal conspiracy.
Note: the Kinetics gym located at 1 Lemoyne Square, Lemoyne, PA; status – closed
Note: Allegedly injected clients in their gym – Kinetics
Note: Accused of placing internet orders with payments made via wire transfers*.

3- Robert Greynolds; age 28 of 451 N. Union St., Middletown, PA
Charged with (a) nine counts of delivery of steroids to Gold’s Gym in Swatara Township, PA, (b) one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, (c) one count of carrying a firearm without a license, (d) one count of criminal conspiracy and, (e) one count of criminal use of a communication facility.

4- Joel France; age 42 of 4251 E. Catalina Lane, Harrisburg, PA
Charged with (a) three counts of delivery of steroids to Gold’s Gym in Swatara Township, PA, (b) one count of criminal conspiracy and, (c) one count of criminal use of a communication facility.

5- Christopher Levan; age 36 of 426-B W. Simpson St., Mechanicsburg, PA
Charged with (a) one count of delivery of steroids to Gold’s Gym in Swatara Township, PA and, (b) one count of criminal conspiracy.

6- Marcus Lazaro; age 29 of 123 Somerset St., Freemansburg, PA
Charged with (a) three counts of delivery of steroids, (b) two counts of possession with intent to deliver steroids, (c) two counts of criminal conspiracy, (d) two counts of dealing in the proceeds of an unlawful activity, (e) one count of manufacturing steroids and, (f) one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Note: Accused of placing internet orders with payments made via wire transfers.
Note: Due to high cost, this defendant allegedly learned how to make steroids from bulk powder steroid ingredients; repackaging under the “Pro Lab” steroid brand.
Note: Search of this defendant’s home revealed abnormal amount of syringes, bulk powder steroids, steroid making peripherals, and a 9mm firearm.

7- Chad Gillespie age 33 of 740 4th St., Catasauqua
Charged with (a) two counts of criminal conspiracy, (b) one count of possession with intent to deliver steroids, (c) one count of manufacturing steroids and, (d) one count of dealing in proceeds of an unlawful activity.
Note: Allegedly obtained steroids from Lazaro’s and Gillespie’s “Pro Lab” brand in order to personally use and sell to other bodybuilders.
Note: Due to high cost, this defendant allegedly learned how to make steroids from bulk powder steroid ingredients; repackaging under the “Pro Lab” steroid brand.
Note: Received 11-month prison sentence

8- John Sassaman; age 51 of 1803 Stratford Court, Allentown, PA
Charged with (a) four counts of delivery of steroids and, (b) one count of criminal conspiracy.

9- George Koufalis; age 34 of 2158 Woodridge Drive, Macungie
Charged with (a) two counts of delivery of steroids, (b) one count of possession with intent to deliver steroids, (c) one count of possession of drug paraphernalia and, (d) one count of criminal conspiracy.
Note: Allegedly obtained steroids from Lazaro’s and Gillespie’s “Pro Lab” brand in order to personally use and sell to other bodybuilders.

10- Chris Niemczyk; age 31 of 1013 Old Course Lane, Easton
Charged with (a) four counts of delivery of steroids, (b) one count of possession with intent to deliver steroids, (c) one count of possession with intent to deliver ecstasy, (d) one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, (e) one count of misbranding Ketamine and, (f) one count of criminal conspiracy.
Note: Received 2-year probation sentence

* Allegedly, some or all of the listed defendants attempted to attract attention to their enterprise by using aliases and making incremental payments below the $1000 threshold.

The above was representative of Phase I of the Operation Roid Runner Investigation—

In August of 2010, there were 6 additional arrests during Phase II of the Operation Roid Runner Investigation.

Defendants include:

11- Edward Moyzan; age 37 of 207 Turning Leaf Trail, Trexlertown
Charges converted over quickly as Moyzan admitted to receiving steroids from Potance then supplying Johnson.
Note: As a result of this investigation, Moyzan received a sentence of 6 – 23 month prison term for selling steroids in Gold’s Gym at Bethlehem.

12- Brian Potance; age 26 of 606 Berks ST., Palmer
Note: Potance is a Northampton County corrections officer.

13- Craig Johnson; age 39 of 3102 Lehigh St., Allentown, PA
Charged with (a) Criminal conspiracy
Note: Former promoter for Lehigh Valley NPC and formerly in charge of Allentown’s SportsFest.
Note: All transactions occurred at Johnson’s business address of Top Physique Nutrition at 725 N. 15^th St., Allentown, PA

14- Brian Chamberlain; age 26 of Westchester, PA
Note: Allegedly sold steroids and HGH (human growth hormone)
15- Frank Peters; age 34 of Ambler, Montgomery County
Note: Allegedly sold steroids and HGH (human growth hormone)