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For Immediate Release:
Contact: Special Agent Tony Pettigrew
Phone: 617-557-2138
September 26, 2008

Watertown Man Sentenced on Charges of Steroid Trafficking and Money Laundering

SEP 26 -- BOSTON, MA - A Watertown man was sentenced today in federal court on charges of money laundering, possession of steroids with the intent to distribute them, and conspiracy to commit both crimes. Kevin Lane, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Boston Field Division and United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan , announced today that JONATHAN DePROSPO, age 22, of Watertown, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to a year and a day of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release. On February 12, 2008, DePROSPO had pled guilty to conspiracy to launder money, conspiracy to possess anabolic steroids with intent to distribute, possession of anabolic steroids with intent to distribute and money laundering.

At the earlier plea hearing, the prosecutor told the Court that had the case proceeded to trial the Government’s evidence would have proven that, between about October 2006 and June 2007, DePROSPO and his brother, Justin DeProspo, ran an anabolic steroid distribution business. The brothers, both of whom were active bodybuilders, ordered various anabolic steroids from international suppliers via the Internet on dozens of occasions, then transmitted payment overseas using Western Union or other wire services. The brothers then distributed the drugs to customers in the United States.

During an earlier hearing, on January 10, 2008, Justin DeProspo pled guilty to similar charges and was ultimately sentenced to approximately eight months incarceration, followed by three years of supervised release. The case was investigated by the DEA.