DEA Archived Press Releases

Press Releases before January 20, 2025
6 Results - Showing 1 to 6
PRESS RELEASE

South Carolina Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Illegal Steroids

ABINGDON, Va. – The owner of a supplement company, that manufactured and shipped unapproved drugs and illegal steroids for use by members of the bodybuilding community, pled guilty this week to a pair of federal drug charges. John Franklin Cochcroft, 37, of Lexington, South Carolina, waived his right to be...
PRESS RELEASE

Ringleader and Members of Multi-State Anabolic Steroid Trafficking Network Sentenced

NORFOLK, Va. – Today, a Richmond man was the sixth and final defendant to be sentenced for his role in a multi-state anabolic steroid conspiracy that operated across the country. According to court documents, Clyde Edward Peele, 46, is one of six members of a trafficking network, led by Michael...
PRESS RELEASE

Physician Assistant Sentenced for Conspiring to Distribute and Dispense Oxycodone, Fentanyl, Methadone, and Alprazolam

Baltimore, Md., – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced William Soyke, age 68, of Hanover, Pennsylvania to 37 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and dispense oxycodone, fentanyl, methadone, and alprazolam outside the scope of professional practice and not for...
PRESS RELEASE

U.S. Navy Petty Officer Pleads Guilty to Role in Multi-State Anabolic Steroid Trafficking Network

NORFOLK, Va. – Today, a Jacksonville, Florida man was the sixth and final defendant to enter a guilty plea for his role in a multi-state anabolic steroid conspiracy that operated in multiple states across the country. According to court documents, law enforcement received information in February 2020 that Erik Eckert...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Washington Launches New Conference Series to Work with Healthcare Professionals & Help End the Overdose Crisis

The DEA Washington Division, an agency currently working to expand partnerships to offer targeted, full-scope solutions for the drug problems in Maryland, Washington DC, and Virginia, today introduced a new webinar series, “Empowering DMV Healthcare Professionals.” The idea for this unique concept was crystalized during the pandemic, when overdose rates...
PRESS RELEASE

Virginia man producing dangerous anabolic steroids and masking agents in his basement, selling them on social media, sentenced to prison

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An Alexandria man was sentenced to five years in prison for manufacturing and distributing anabolic steroids and money laundering. According to court documents, John Russell Kestel, 38, ran an anabolic steroid manufacturing and distribution conspiracy for at least three years. Kestel imported raw steroid powders from China...