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One man is in custody and three others face charges in connection with dealing anabolic steroids and the local case has attracted the attention of federal authorities.
David M. Rickel, 26, of 220 S. Harrison St., Warsaw, was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail Friday on two counts each of dealing and possession of a Schedule III controlled substance. He is being held on $10,000 bond.
According to Warsaw Police Department Detective Joe Stanley, the investigation began after police received complaints from local training centers of suspected use of steroids.
A patron of one of the gyms reportedly observed some suspicious activity in the parking lot of the business, where a syringe was later found.
Anabolic steroids can be used by injection or in pill form and have long-term side effects from chronic use. The drug is both psychologically and physically addictive and is sometimes used by athletes as a way to "bulk up" quickly. Use of the substance is illegal in the United States and is banned from many competitive arenas.
Some forms of steroids are available by prescription in the United States, but those involved in this case are veterinarian-grade for farm animals and prescription versions of the drug that are available in Europe and the Middle East.
The anabolic substances confiscated in this investigation were shipped to Warsaw from Hermosa Beach, Calif., Stanley said. As a result of the local investigation, a federal case has been initiated.
It is believed that the drugs were smuggled from Mexico to California, then shipped to this area via the U.S. Postal Service and UPS. The shipment, reportedly purchased for $750, has a street value of five to ten times that amount, Stanley said.
About 15 containers of anabolic substances were confiscated from Rickel's home, according to police, who consider Rickel to be the largest alleged dealer of steroids in Warsaw as determined by this investigation.
A warrant is outstanding for Brett Kneller, 24, of Claypool, who police believe fled the area to a location in southern Indiana after being advised that charges were forthcoming. Kneller is charged with dealing in a Schedule III controlled substance, possession of a Schedule III controlled substance and dealing in a substance represented to be a controlled substance.
Two other men involved in the investigation will appear in court by subpoena. Police said Robert Butler and Jason Engle, both of Warsaw, each faces charges of dealing and possession of a Schedule III controlled substance. The ages of the men were not available. Both men were cooperative in the investigation and were able to avoid actually being arrested on the charges.
All four suspects are set to appear in Kosciusko Circuit Court to answer to the charges against them.
During the two-month investigation that culminated with charges being filed, police compiled a list of about 25 people in Warsaw who purchased steroids from the four alleged dealers.
Earlier this week, a Warsaw man was jailed on a weapons violation for allegedly being found in possession of a firearm stolen as part of one the alleged drug transactions.
Also, police were able to make several undercover steroid purchases from the suspects and all of the transactions were captured on videotape.
Rickel reportedly works as a personal trainer at locations in New Paris and Warsaw and local gyms plan internal investigations in connection with the ongoing criminal probe.
Butler reportedly is involved in competitive body building events, police said, and Kneller participates in power lifting contests. Stanley said he believes that not all competitions require drug testing prior to participation.
Police said that information received during the investigation indicates that some high school students, possibly athletes, may have gotten ahold of steroids as well.
The investigation continues and additional arrests are likely, police said.
