Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, February 1, 1991 TAG: 9102010665
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"I knew it was illegal," Benjamin Edward Boyd told U.S. Magistrate Glen Conrad.
"Everyone in body-building and the sports community was doing it."
Boyd, 34, had been indicted on federal felony charges of illegal possession of steroids. But the felony charges were dismissed based on a "strategical decision" made by attorneys in the case, Assistant U.S. Attorney Arenda Allen said.
The misdemeanor charges accused Boyd of introducing one bottle of testosterone and two bottles of anavar, both prescription drugs, into interstate commerce. Boyd was charged with dispensing the drugs without obtaining authorization from a licensed practitioner.
Boyd also was charged with misbranding various types of steroids because the labels did not include the warning "Caution: Federal law prohibits dispensing without prescription."
Boyd's activity was detected by a clerk at the Salem Post Office, Allen said in summarizing testimony Thursday in U.S. Magistrate's Court.
The clerk noticed that Boyd was sending express-mail packages with incorrect return addresses. The clerk contacted the U.S. postal inspector.
Last August, search warrants were obtained on a package and on Boyd's hair-styling salon. Authorities found 300 tablets of Oxandrolone Spa, three boxes labeled Primobolan Depot, one vial labeled Testosterone Cypionate, three vials labeled Nandrolone Deconoate, two vials labeled Testerone Cypionate, 210 hypodermic needles, $860 cash and a handwritten note.
Salem police arrested Boyd at his salon at 319 Eighth St. in Salem on Aug. 14.
Conrad ordered a pre-sentencing investigation on Boyd. His sentencing has been scheduled for April 9. He faces up to a year in prison, a maximum $100,000 fine or both.
by CNB