Jennings Man Pleads Guilty To Importing And Distributing Anabolic Steroids

LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Regan Chase Benoit, 25, of Jennings, La., pleaded guilty Thursday before U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi to importation and possession with intent to distribute anabolic steroids.

According to the evidence presented at the guilty plea, on May 24, 2012 U.S. Postal workers inspected a package from China and discovered that it contained one kilogram of anabolic steroid powder.  The address on the package was for a Jennings residence.  On May 30, 2013, authorities observed a woman picking up the parcel from the post office in Jennings.  After detaining the woman, she told authorities the package was for Benoit. Benoit was questioned by police and admitted to importing steroid tablets and powder from China. He admitted that after receiving the drugs, he liquefied them and placed them in vials for distribution.

Benoit faces up to 10 years in prison, a $500,000 fine, and two years of supervised release for both counts.  Sentencing has been set for December 5, 2013.

Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Jennings Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett L. Grayson is prosecuting the case.