ATLANTA - Four steroid distributors have been sentenced for trafficking in illegal anabolic steroids. The defendants were importing raw materials from China and selling the finished product online.
"The use of illegal anabolic steroids is far from a harmless pursuit. They pose significant health risks," said Acting U.S. Attorney John Horn. “Users of steroids could suffer kidney failure, liver damage, and younger users can even suffer heart attacks. Thankfully, USPIS and DEA agents put these distributors, who sent their illicit product across the country, out of business."
“The sentencing’s for the suspects involved in Operation Eliteanabolx should serve as a warning to those who intend to misuse the U.S. Mail for shipping illicit drugs. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service would like to recognize and commend the efforts of our state and local counterparts who diligently investigated this case as well as the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Northern District of Georgia for their dedication and assistance in a successful resolution. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service remains vigilant in protecting the nation's mail system from all criminal activity to ensure the public's trust in a safe and secure mail system," said Thomas L. Noyes II, Inspector in Charge, Charlotte Division.
“Steroids pose a significant health risk to users seeking to artificially enhance their athletic abilities," said Daniel R. Salter, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division commented on the sentencings. “The mission of DEA is unwavering--we relentlessly pursue drug traffickers who distribute dangerous drugs that cause immeasurable damage to our communities."
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Horn, the charges and other information presented in court: In 2013, Brandon Keith Franklin and Jay Michael Reger began producing and selling anabolic steroids under the name Performance Formulations. They received raw materials for the steroids from China and sold the finished product online. Franklin and Reger were partners in the operation: Franklin managed the website and Reger mixed the raw materials to create the finished product. They hired Austin Britt Shirley and Andrew Chrismer to fill the orders. Shirley packed the orders and Chrismer mailed them. Franklin used the proceeds from his illegal steroid business to fund a lavish lifestyle, purchasing a number of luxury vehicles.
Shirley and Chrismer were arrested on May 28, 2014, when law enforcement agents with the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration seized tens of thousands of units of steroids from the organization. Franklin was arrested on Dec. 3, 2014. Even after the seizures and arrests, Reger continued to manufacture steroids from his home in Woodstock, Georgia, until he was arrested on Dec. 10, 2014.
The defendants in this case have been sentenced as follows:
* Brandon Keith Franklin, 41, of Canton, Georgia, was sentenced to two years, six months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Franklin was convicted on Dec. 16, 2014, after he pleaded guilty. His luxury vehicles were also forfeited.
* Jay Michael Reger, 30, of Woodstock, Georgia, was sentenced to two years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Reger was convicted on Dec. 16, 2014, after he pleaded guilty.
* Andrew Chrismer, 25, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to one year in prison to be followed by two years of supervised release. Chrismer was convicted on June 25, 2014, after he pleaded guilty.
* Austin Britt Shirley, 25, of Acworth, Georgia, was sentenced to two years of probation. Shirley was convicted on Sept. 25, 2014 after he pleaded guilty.
All four defendants were all sentenced by U.S. District Judge Timothy C. Batten, Sr.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and Drug Enforcement Administration.
Assistant United States Attorney Vivek Kothari prosecuted the case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta recommends parents and children learn about the dangers of drugs at the following web site: www.justthinktwice.com.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the home page for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia Atlanta Division is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
