Three members of the Philadelphia Police Department , as well as 13 others, ran a steroid drug ring, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Philadelphia Police detective Keith Gidelson, 34, with the help of his wife Kirsten, took in monthly shipments of human growth hormones and anabolic steroids and distributed the illegal drugs locally and nationally, according to the federal indictment.
Gidelson had foreign suppliers in Europe and China and then sought out customers through Philadelphia-area fitness clubs, references from a vitamin store worker, and through online weightlifting chat rooms, according to the indictment.
Philadelphia Police officers Joseph McIntyre, 36, and George Sambuca, 25, were also brought up on charges for alleged participation in the steroid ring. Sambuca and McIntyre, along with defendants Michael Barclay, Keith Ebner, Jeffrey Filoon, Christian Kowalko, Joel Levin, Luke Lors, William Schiavo, and Vaidotas Verikas, were all drug customers of Keith and Kirsten Gidelson, the U.S. Attorney’s Office says.
“It's a hard day when our own members tarnish the badge,” Philly Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said in a statement.
“Police officers swear an oath to uphold the law,” U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger said in a statement. “When an officer breaks the law, no matter the infraction, he not only violates his oath, he violates the public’s trust. This indictment alleges that three officers placed personal gain ahead of their duty to protect and serve.”
