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OPELOUSAS - Local high school football players and business professionals are among a list of at least 100 people who have been identified by the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office as anabolic steroid users, according to Sheriff Bobby Guidroz.
Reports of steroid use in the area and surrounding parishes prompted the office's narcotics detectives to conduct a seven-month undercover investigation that led to the largest ever steroid seizure in St. Landry Parish.
The detectives targeted gyms in Eunice, Opelousas and Krotz Springs. And as a result, they seized at least $15,000 worth of steroids - about 60 bottles of anabolic steroids in liquid form and at least 600 dosages in pill form.
Many of the drugs are believed to have been bought online or from Mexico.
At a news conference Tuesday, Guidroz said many of the users and sellers are people with professional careers at large corporations and others who "should know not to use" the drugs.
Steroid use and distribution in the area is not a new problem, he said, but the seizure shows how widespread it is.
"It's a bigger problem than we thought," Guidroz said.
At least 100 local residents have been identified as steroid users during the investigation.
Many of the users are from St. Landry Parish, but residents from other parishes, including Lafayette, are suspected to have been involved in the distribution and usage.
Detectives said one certain steroid has not been pinpointed as a popular choice among users, as many of the drugs are used in conjunction with one another and "different ones do different things" to the users.
Names of the local gyms and high school football teams involved also will not be disclosed.
But Guidroz said local high school authorities and parents are being notified of the incidents.
Four people have been arrested for possession and distribution of the steroids while arrest warrants remain active for at least 11 more dealers. The office expects to see more arrests as the investigation progresses.
Ty Johnson, 21, of Eunice, faces charges of distribution of a Schedule III controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute a Schedule III controlled dangerous substance, illegal carrying of weapons, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession with intent to distribute a Schedule III controlled dangerous substance;
Holly Fontenot, 23, of Eunice faces charges of possession with intent to distribute a Schedule III controlled dangerous substance, illegal carrying of weapons, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession with Intent to distribute a Schedule III controlled dangerous substance, and obstruction of justice.
Adrian Savoie of Opelousas was arrested on charges of alleged possession with intent to distribute a Schedule III controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia (two counts), and possession of a Schedule III controlled dangerous substance.
Terri A. Kirkpatrick of Opelousas was arrested on charges of possession of a legend drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Guidroz said the next step is to conduct more interviews and gain more evidence. Other local agencies and federal agencies are helping with the investigation.
Names of the users and dealers who have not been arrested will not be released pending further investigation, Guidroz said.
The identified users ranged from ages 17 to 50 years old.
He said users cannot be penalized unless they are carrying the drugs and could face possession charges if caught.
William Duplechain, Port Barre High School principal, said the school's athletes are randomly drug tested throughout the school year, and the sheriff's office has not notified him of any suspicious activity.
Ronald Johnson, Opelousas High School principal, echoed Duplechain's response and said he is "hoping that it is no one" he knows.
North West, Eunice, Beau Chene and North Central high schools could not be reached for comment.
Reports of steroid use in the area and surrounding parishes prompted the office's narcotics detectives to conduct a seven-month undercover investigation that led to the largest ever steroid seizure in St. Landry Parish.
The detectives targeted gyms in Eunice, Opelousas and Krotz Springs. And as a result, they seized at least $15,000 worth of steroids - about 60 bottles of anabolic steroids in liquid form and at least 600 dosages in pill form.
Many of the drugs are believed to have been bought online or from Mexico.
At a news conference Tuesday, Guidroz said many of the users and sellers are people with professional careers at large corporations and others who "should know not to use" the drugs.
Steroid use and distribution in the area is not a new problem, he said, but the seizure shows how widespread it is.
"It's a bigger problem than we thought," Guidroz said.
At least 100 local residents have been identified as steroid users during the investigation.
Many of the users are from St. Landry Parish, but residents from other parishes, including Lafayette, are suspected to have been involved in the distribution and usage.
Detectives said one certain steroid has not been pinpointed as a popular choice among users, as many of the drugs are used in conjunction with one another and "different ones do different things" to the users.
Names of the local gyms and high school football teams involved also will not be disclosed.
But Guidroz said local high school authorities and parents are being notified of the incidents.
Four people have been arrested for possession and distribution of the steroids while arrest warrants remain active for at least 11 more dealers. The office expects to see more arrests as the investigation progresses.
Ty Johnson, 21, of Eunice, faces charges of distribution of a Schedule III controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute a Schedule III controlled dangerous substance, illegal carrying of weapons, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession with intent to distribute a Schedule III controlled dangerous substance;
Holly Fontenot, 23, of Eunice faces charges of possession with intent to distribute a Schedule III controlled dangerous substance, illegal carrying of weapons, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession with Intent to distribute a Schedule III controlled dangerous substance, and obstruction of justice.
Adrian Savoie of Opelousas was arrested on charges of alleged possession with intent to distribute a Schedule III controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia (two counts), and possession of a Schedule III controlled dangerous substance.
Terri A. Kirkpatrick of Opelousas was arrested on charges of possession of a legend drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Guidroz said the next step is to conduct more interviews and gain more evidence. Other local agencies and federal agencies are helping with the investigation.
Names of the users and dealers who have not been arrested will not be released pending further investigation, Guidroz said.
The identified users ranged from ages 17 to 50 years old.
He said users cannot be penalized unless they are carrying the drugs and could face possession charges if caught.
William Duplechain, Port Barre High School principal, said the school's athletes are randomly drug tested throughout the school year, and the sheriff's office has not notified him of any suspicious activity.
Ronald Johnson, Opelousas High School principal, echoed Duplechain's response and said he is "hoping that it is no one" he knows.
North West, Eunice, Beau Chene and North Central high schools could not be reached for comment.