Federal And State Authorities Arrest 22 In Connection With Austin Area Steroid Distribution Operation

In the Austin area today, federal and state authorities arrested 22 individuals, including ringleaders 54–year-old Timothy John Bruner of Leander, Texas, and 23-year-old Ryan Robert Rowland of Round Rock, Texas, in connection with a steroid distribution operation announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit, Houston Division. 

Six of those arrested were charged by federal criminal complaints unsealed today; the remaining 16 individuals face state charges.  In addition to Bruner and Rowland, those charged by federal criminal complaint include: 42-year-old Ronald Marion Butsch of Austin; 47-year-old Dan Lee of Austin; 49-year-old Timothy John Moore of Austin; and, 58-year-old Don Glen Zachary of Austin. 

Each is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance.  The criminal complaints allege that since January 2014, the defendants conspired to distribute more than 1,000 dosage units of steroids in tablet form (Anavar and Winstrol) and over 200 10cc vials of steroids in liquid form (Testosterone, Deca Durabolin and Trenbolone).

“The success of Operation Blue Juice exemplifies the outstanding cooperation and coordination among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. DEA has worked closely with our law enforcement partners in the state of Texas and around the country in order to enhance the impact on this drug trafficking organization while increasing the quality of life in the surrounding communities of Austin,” said Joseph M. Arabit, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration-Houston Field Division.

Upon conviction, the defendants face up to 20 in federal prison and a maximum $250,000 fine. 

During this eight-month-long operation, investigators conducted several controlled purchases of steroids from Bruner and Rowland. To date, authorities have seized significant amounts of steroids, $300,000 in U.S. Currency and other assets in connection with this investigation.

These charges and arrests resulted from an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Texas Department of Public Safety, Cedar Park Police Department, Austin Police Department, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and the Williamson County Constable’s Office—Pct. 2.  Assistant United States Attorney Mark Marshall is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government. 

A criminal complaint is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt.  The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.