Former Philadelphia Police Officer Sentenced for Role in Steroid Distribution Case

PHILADELPHIA—Joseph McIntyre, 38, of Philadelphia, was sentenced today to six months’ incarceration for his role in a conspiracy to illegally distribute anabolic steroids. 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 on August 24, 2011, to conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute anabolic steroids, and possession with intent to distribute anabolic steroids.

The indictment charged Gidelson with operating the anabolic steroid 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 night club.

In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Paul S. Diamond ordered three years of supervised release, a $300 special assessment, and ordered McIntyre to pay a fine of $10,000.

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 was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Axelrod.