An man from Iowa was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment for his participation in an international conspiracy involving the distribution of anabolic steroids. Ronald Sales had pleaded guilty and admitted to his role in a multi-million dollar international steroid operation. Sales was one of several individuals located within the United States that was working for a steroid distribution ring masterminded by Oleksanr “Musclebear” Skochyk from his home in the Ukraine.
It appears that Sales’ primary role in the organization was to collect cash payments from United States customers who purchased steroids from Musclebear. Sales then transferred the money via Western Union and MoneyGram wire transfers to payees in the Ukraine and payees in China.
Sales pleaded guilty to “conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of anabolic steroids”, “conspiracy to import into the United States a quantity of anabolic steroids” and “conspiracy to transport, transmit and transfer monetary instruments and funds from a place in the United States to a place outside of the United States.”
Sales admitted to using steroids on and off for the last 20 years. It does not appear that he operated as a “remailer” for Musclebear.
While the entire Musclebear operation involved millions of dollars in steroid sales, Sales apparently only played a relatively minor role. He did not appear to derive significant income from his steroid activities. He only forfeited $21,183 in income reportedly gained through his involvement. Sales did not live extravagantly and his primary asset was a 1997 Buick Park Avenue valued at $2000.
Unfortunately, this was Sales’ fourth steroid-related conviction. He was convicted of steroid possession charges in December 1998 and January 2001 and steroid distribution charges in February 2005. He had only spent a few months in prison as a consequence of his previous crimes. His criminal history influenced his sentencing in the case.
The leaders of the Musclebear organization, Aleksandr “Musclebear” Skochyk and Yeveniy Suray, were arrested in Cyprus on March 17, 2010. They have either been extradited or are currently awaiting extradition to the United States for trial.
Source:
Lord, R. (September 29, 2011). Repeat steroid dealer sentenced to 20 months in prison. Retrieved from http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11272/1178529-100.stm
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