News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 10, 2005

Tampa Man Convicted for Drug Facilitated Crimes of Violence

On November 10, 2005 a jury in U.S. District Court in Tampa, Florida, found Steven Lorenzo guilty of knowingly and intentionally distributing for human consumption a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, also known as "GHB," a Schedule I controlled substance, to nine men without their knowledge and with the intent to commit a "crime of violence," including sexual assault, as defined in Title 18, United States Code, Section 16. On September 13, 2005, a federal grand jury in the Middle District of Florida returned a second superseding indictment charging Lorenzo with the nine counts of drug facilitated crimes of violence and one count of conspiracy to possess GHB with intent to distribute with intent to commit a crime of violence.

From 2000 through 2004, Lorenzo serepticiously slipped GHB into the drinks of nine Tampa men, before torturing and then assaulting them. In December 2003, Lorenzo and co-conspirator drugged, tortured and killed Jason Galehouse and Michael Wachholtz, before dismembering and disposing of their bodies around the Tampa area.

Lorenzo faces a maximum term of 200 years imprisonment relating to the ten counts. He is scheduled for sentencing in January 2006. This investigation was conducted by the DEA Miami Field Division Tampa District Office and the Tampa Police Department. Also assisting in the investigation was the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.