United States Drug Enforcement Administration

PHOENIX - Drug Enforcement (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Doug Coleman announced the conclusion of Operation Bad Mussels - with the sentencing of the remaining defendants indicted for their participation in one of the largest steroid enforcement investigations in Arizona.  During the investigation, DEA’s Tactical Diversion (TDS) identified members who assisted in the production and delivery of steroids, the receipt of multiple parcels containing raw steroid materials from China and the collection of bulk currency and wire transfers from the organization’s customer base.

"These sentences send a message to drug traffickers that the DEA does not discriminate: if you are profiting from selling drugs in our community, we will identify, investigate and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law." said DEA Special Agent in Charge Doug Coleman.

In addition to the drug trafficking charges, several defendants were sentenced for their role in money laundering activities stemming from the financial investigation supported by the Internal Revenue Service. 

"The swift investigation and prosecution of this nationwide illegal anabolic steroid distribution ring was the result of hard work and a true team effort.  Our agents will continue to provide their expertise by investigating money laundering - a skill that is crucial in combatting narcotics cases" said Dawn Mertz, Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Field Office of Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation.

The following sentences were announced:
 
Blaine Jared Radke: -  Pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to distribute anabolic (21USC846); Possession with Intent to Distribute anabolic (21 USC 841(a)(1) & 21 USC 841(b)(1)(E)) and Money (18 USC 1956(H)); Radke was sentenced to five years imprisonment and three years supervised release.

Ismael Gonzalez:  - Pleaded guilty to Money (18 USC 1956(H)) and was sentenced to two years imprisonment and three years supervised release; after completion of his sentence, Gonzalez will be remanded to CBP for deportation to Mexico.

Joshua Ryan Leno: -  Pleaded guilty to Money (18 USC 1956(H)) and was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment and three years supervised release.

Gregory A. Chambers: -   Pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to distribute anabolic (21 USC 846) and Possession with Intent to Distribute anabolic (21 USC 841(a)(1) & 21 USC 841(b)(1)(E)); Chambers was sentenced to five years probation.

Chad Vincent Desjarlais: -  Pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to distribute anabolic (21 USC 846) and Possession with Intent to Distribute anabolic (21 USC 841(a)(1) & 21 USC 841(b)(1)(E)); Desjarlais was sentenced to five years probation.

Duane McGill: -   Pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to distribute anabolic (21 USC 846) and Possession with Intent to Distribute anabolic (21 USC 841(a)(1) & 21 USC 841(b)(1)(E)); McGill was sentenced to five years probation.

Dena Jo Olson: -  Pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to distribute anabolic (21 USC 846) and Possession with Intent to Distribute anabolic (21 USC 841(a)(1) & 21 USC 841(b)(1)(E)); Olson was sentenced to five years probation.

Kanisha Stewart: -  Pleaded guilty to Money (18 USC 1956(H)) and was remanded to pre-trial services to serve one year on probation.  Stewart’s charges will be dismissed upon successful completion of this probation term.
 
The investigative efforts in Operation Bad Mussels - were led by DEA’s TDS with assistance from the United States Postal Inspector’s (USPIS), the Internal Revenue Service, Homeland Security (HSI), Mesa Police (MPD), Surprise Police (SPD) and its SWAT Team, the National Drug Intelligence Center Document and Media (DOMEX) and the Franklin Police Department in Franklin, TN.  Assistance was also provided by the DEA Atlanta Field Division, the St. Louis Field Division, and the Miami Field Division.  The prosecution was handled by Krissa Lanham, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona.