Former Police Officer Pleads Guilty in Steroid Case

PHILADELPHIA—Joseph McIntyre, 36, of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty today to charges stemming from a conspiracy to illegally distribute anabolic steroids, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. McIntyre, a former Philadelphia Police Officer, was charged in an indictment that named 14 others including fellow officers Keith Gidelson and George Sambuca. McIntyre pleaded guilty to conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute anabolic steroids, and possession with intent to distribute anabolic steroids. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 5, 2011.

The indictment charged Gidelson with operating the distribution organization in Philadelphia and throughout the United States, acquiring steroids from foreign suppliers and then selling the steroids to his co-conspirators who distributed to their own customers. McIntyre bought the steroids from Gidelson for his own use and to distribute to others. Numerous intercepted calls and text messages between the men demonstrate that McIntyre discussed with Gidelson the acquisition of steroids from Gidelson’s suppliers; the acquisition from Gidelson of specific types of anabolic steroids for McIntyre’s customers; and the use and effects of the steroids Gidelson and McIntyre were distributing. In many of these intercepted calls and text messages, McIntyre discussed acquiring steroids for people who worked at a local health club.

McIntyre is the sixth of the 15 defendants to enter a guilty plea. He faces a maximum possible sentence of 30 years’ imprisonment, lifetime supervised release, a $1.5 million, and a $300 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Philadelphia Police Department, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Axelrod.