OKLAHOMA CITY - CHRISTOPHER THOMAS CAPLINGER, 55, of Edmond, Oklahoma, and three others have been charged with conspiring to distribute anabolic steroids, announced Robert J. Troester, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma.
On March 20, 2018, a federal grand jury returned a 23-count indictment against Caplinger, DONALD RAY VINCENT, JR., 54, of Edmond; DEBORAH ANN CRAWFORD, 47, of Oklahoma City; and MICHAEL BRANDON SCHOTT, 34, of Newport News, Virginia. In addition to allegations of illegally conspiring to distribute steroids, a Schedule III controlled substance, the indictment charges distribution of steroids to an undercover officer, manufacturing of steroids, maintaining a drug-involved premises, a conspiracy to commit money laundering, and international money laundering. According to the indictment, Capinger, Vincent, and Crawford concealed the proceeds of their illegal activity by depositing money into bank accounts in the names of third parties and storing bulk cash at residences, including approximately $280,000 buried in Caplinger’s back yard. The indictment alleges that from April 2015 until November 2017, Caplinger rented space at 8201 North Classen Boulevard in Oklahoma City for the purpose of manufacturing and distributing steroids. It also alleges that Caplinger and Crawford transferred funds to China to conceal their crimes.
The indictment seeks forfeiture of a total of $790,000 in proceeds, including Caplinger’s residential property in Edmond and more than $372,000 in cash.
Caplinger and Vincent were arraigned today in federal court in Oklahoma City.
If convicted, each defendant faces up to ten years in prison for conspiracy, followed by up to a lifetime on supervised release. Caplinger faces additional ten-year prison terms for six counts relating to the distribution and manufacture of steroids and an additional twenty years for maintaining a drug-involved premises. Caplinger, Vincent, and Crawford also face up to twenty years in prison on various money-laundering counts. All but one of the twenty-three counts carries a fine of up to $500,000.
These charges are the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kerry Blackburn is prosecuting the case.
Reference is made to public filings for further information.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
