Investigator outlines steroid network
Posted: Friday, July 22, 2005
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- Steroids sent from New York were sold by two Lincoln men to friends and to people they met at bars and gyms, a state investigator said Wednesday as he testified about the network of users and distributors.
Some customers of Levi D. Lewis, 24, and Kenneth Thompson, 23, also sold the steroids to other users, said State Patrol investigator Matt Brodecky at Lewis' preliminary hearing.
Lewis has been charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Thompson and Chad Case, 30, also of Lincoln, face similar charges. Lewis also was charged with possession of a controlled substance.
All three men have pleaded not guilty and have been released on bond. Attempts to reach Lewis and Thompson Thursday were unsuccessful.
Case denied the accusations. "I feel secure in my innocence," he said, and referred further questions to his attorney.
The investigation began last year when U.S. Postal workers noticed a suspicious package mailed from New York to one of the men.
A search warrant was obtained for the package and investigators found anabolic steroids and human growth hormones, court records said.
Brodecky said he had talked to people who bought steroids from Lewis and Thompson or received packages for them.
One, he said, was Matthew Ochsner of Waverly, who knew Thompson from their military service together.
Ochsner, at the request of investigators, later wore recording gear during a conversation with Thompson, who said he was worried that authorities were getting close.
Lewis shared a dorm room with former Nebraska football player Sandro DeAngelis in 2001 and 2002, Brodecky said. DeAngelis said he didn't use steroids but knew that Lewis was selling them.
DeAngelis said Lewis tried to sell them to at least one Nebraska football player, Alex Shada.
Shada turned down the offer, Brodecky said.
DeAngelis is a kicker for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. Attempts to reach him Thursday through the team's offices were unsuccessful.
Attempts to reach Shada, who joined the Cornhuskers in 2000 after graduating from high school in Wahoo and has since graduated, also were unsuccessful.
Brodecky also testified about Rick Fitzgerald, who was arrested for steroid possession. He also said he obtained steroids from Lewis and sold them to others, Brodecky said.
Case, who was arrested last month, paid $1,400 to Fitzgerald for steroids, Brodecky said.
Fitzgerald said he overheard Lewis and Thompson talk about sending money to New York for packages of steroids, Brodecky said.
Court documents say 22 packages weighing up to 3 pounds were sent to Lincoln and Waverly addresses -- most of them to Thompson.
Thompson is due in court Aug. 9. Lewis' next hearing is in district court on Aug. 10. Case's preliminary hearing was delayed Wednesday. His next court date is Sept. 21.
Some customers of Levi D. Lewis, 24, and Kenneth Thompson, 23, also sold the steroids to other users, said State Patrol investigator Matt Brodecky at Lewis' preliminary hearing.
Lewis has been charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Thompson and Chad Case, 30, also of Lincoln, face similar charges. Lewis also was charged with possession of a controlled substance.
All three men have pleaded not guilty and have been released on bond. Attempts to reach Lewis and Thompson Thursday were unsuccessful.
Case denied the accusations. "I feel secure in my innocence," he said, and referred further questions to his attorney.
The investigation began last year when U.S. Postal workers noticed a suspicious package mailed from New York to one of the men.
A search warrant was obtained for the package and investigators found anabolic steroids and human growth hormones, court records said.
Brodecky said he had talked to people who bought steroids from Lewis and Thompson or received packages for them.
One, he said, was Matthew Ochsner of Waverly, who knew Thompson from their military service together.
Ochsner, at the request of investigators, later wore recording gear during a conversation with Thompson, who said he was worried that authorities were getting close.
Lewis shared a dorm room with former Nebraska football player Sandro DeAngelis in 2001 and 2002, Brodecky said. DeAngelis said he didn't use steroids but knew that Lewis was selling them.
DeAngelis said Lewis tried to sell them to at least one Nebraska football player, Alex Shada.
Shada turned down the offer, Brodecky said.
DeAngelis is a kicker for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. Attempts to reach him Thursday through the team's offices were unsuccessful.
Attempts to reach Shada, who joined the Cornhuskers in 2000 after graduating from high school in Wahoo and has since graduated, also were unsuccessful.
Brodecky also testified about Rick Fitzgerald, who was arrested for steroid possession. He also said he obtained steroids from Lewis and sold them to others, Brodecky said.
Case, who was arrested last month, paid $1,400 to Fitzgerald for steroids, Brodecky said.
Fitzgerald said he overheard Lewis and Thompson talk about sending money to New York for packages of steroids, Brodecky said.
Court documents say 22 packages weighing up to 3 pounds were sent to Lincoln and Waverly addresses -- most of them to Thompson.
Thompson is due in court Aug. 9. Lewis' next hearing is in district court on Aug. 10. Case's preliminary hearing was delayed Wednesday. His next court date is Sept. 21.
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