Last Of 17 Defendants Sentenced In Web-Based Steroid Trafficking Operation

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell has sentenced Robert Gonzalez (41, Orlando) to 18 months in federal prison for conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute anabolic steroids, and for violating his supervised release on a previous federal conviction. Gonzalez, who was found guilty by a federal jury on August 19, 2016, was the last of 17 defendants to be sentenced for his role in the operation of an Internet-based anabolic steroid trafficking ring that operated out of Central Florida.

According to court documents, the steroid drug trafficking conspiracy operated from 2012 to 2014. Its members were responsible for shipping illegal steroids throughout the United States and internationally. The members of the conspiracy played various roles in the operation of the Internet-based, steroid trafficking operation - some as organizers, others as manufacturers and shippers, some who sent money to China for the purchase of raw steroids, and some who picked up the proceeds of the steroid sales.  The group sold all types of illegal steroids, including oral capsules and oil-based injectable steroids. The orders were made through web sites maintained in foreign countries, and the steroids were processed and sent to customers from Central Florida via United States Mail.

In October 2016, David Arroyo, the leader of the steroid trafficking ring, was sentenced to five years in federal prison. Fifteen others previously pleaded guilty and have been sentenced for their roles in this case. One other, Steven Groden, was also found guilty by a federal jury.

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney E. Jackson Boggs Jr.

The following individuals were previously convicted and sentenced for their respective roles in the conspiracy:

Vincent Sperti, 37, Lake Mary

John Walker, 42, Lake Mary

Jeffrey Berrios, 44, Lake Mary

Hunter Rawls, 37, Heathrow

Jeffrey Walker, 23, Lake Mary

Jason Bergstresser, 27, Longwood

Christopher Eaddy, 44, Winter Springs

Allison Eaddy, 33, Winter Springs

John Erber, 42, Lake Mary

Brea Tato, 41, Lake Mary

Guillermo Otero, 32, Deltona

David Centeno, 30, Sanford

Melissa Sperti, 34, Lake Mary

Eric Boccard, 42, Mount Dora