Jun 05 2009
Polk steroids suspect freed to live with his mother
TAMPA - A federal magistrate today ordered the release of a Lakeland man who told authorities he sold steroids to professional athletes.
Richard Thomas, 35, will be allowed to live with his mother in Lakeland after they sign paperwork agreeing to forfeit $25,000 if he flees prosecution or fails to appear for a court hearing.
U.S. Magistrate Thomas Wilson agreed to the recommendation by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelley Howard-Allen that Thomas be released under the supervision of the court’s pretrial services department. Thomas must submit to random drug testing, surrender his passport and not possess any firearms.
State charges against Thomas were dismissed after the federal charges were filed last week.
His attorney, Mark Taylor, wouldn’t comment on reports that his client told authorities he sold steroids to professional athletes. Asked about Thomas’ cooperation with authorities, Taylor said, “He is fully cooperating with me.” Beyond that, he declined to comment.
Authorities say Thomas had hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of anabolic steroids in his Stoney Creek Drive home last week when deputies and federal agents set up delivery of a package containing the contraband sent from overseas.
Investigative records show the drugs came in packages from outside the United States, and that Thomas said he bought them from China, Russia, Iran and other Middle Eastern countries.
Federal agents said they intercepted a suspicious package in Philadelphia on May 21. It was sent from Slovakia and addressed to “Mahlon” Thomas in Lakeland.
Agents and undercover Polk County sheriff’s deputies wired the package to alert them if it was opened. The package was delivered to Thomas’ address and an alert was sent within five minutes, an affidavit states. Thomas was the only person at the home.
During the search, and after Thomas was read his rights, he told agents he would “beat any charges like he had in the past,” and that “the only thing he knows is selling steroids,” the affidavit states.
Thomas’ wife, Sandra, 49, also was charged in Polk County. She was released last week after posting $215,000 bail and is not facing federal charges.
After his arrest, Thomas told investigators he was the biggest steroid provider in Central Florida and that he sold mostly to professional athletes, including those on the Washington Capitals hockey team and Washington Nationals baseball team, Polk Sheriff Grady Judd said.
National Hockey League deputy commissioner Bill Daly has said the league is interviewing the Capitals’ front-office employees and medical and training staff. Daly said today there was no update.
The Daily News in New York has reported that Major League Baseball also is investigating Thomas’ claims.
Source - www2.tbo.com
