The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office announced a major steroid bust in Louisiana today. A seven month undercover investigation into anabolic steroid distribution at local gyms uncovered a network of 15 steroid dealers and identified at least 100 customers including several St. Parish area high school football players. The Sheriff’s Office has arrested four individuals on steroid distribution charges and has not ruled out pressing steroid possession charges against some of the customers (”Authorities say high school football players being investigated in steroid ring,” July 22).

Neither the football players or the high schools they attend were named by St. Landry Sheriff’s officials in a news conference today.

They said they were contacting parents and coaches as they continue their investigation.

Four people have been arrested in the alleged ring that authorities say involved gyms in Opelousas, Eunice and Krotz Springs. None of the alleged users has been identified or arrested by authorities, but they say their investigation is continuing and more arrests may come.

Arrests in the steroid bust began on July 14, 2008 with the arrests of Ty Johnson and Holly Fontenot.

Ty Jakieb Johnson, 21, 540 North Forth Street, Eunice, distribution of a schedule III controlled dangerous substance (anabolic steroids), possession with intent to distribute a schedule III controlled dangerous substance (anabolic steroids), illegal carrying of weapons (in presence of controlled dangerous substance), possession with intent to distribute a schedule III controlled dangerous substance (Loratab), and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

Holly Rene Fontenot, 23, 540 North Fourth St., Eunice, obstruction of justice, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession with intent to distribute a schedule III controlled dangerous substance (anabolic steroids), illegal carrying of weapons, possession with intent to distribute a schedule III controlled dangerous substance (Loratab).

Two other individuals were arrested today shortly before the steroid bust was announced.

Adrian Lee Savoie, age 44, 2633 Ducharme Road, Opelousas, La., charged with possession of schedule III drugs with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of schedule II drugs.

Terry Ann Kirkpatrick, age 44, 2633 Ducharme Road, Opelousas, La., charged with legend drug imprint and possession of drug paraphernalia.

St. Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz reported that steroids were sold to high school football players as young as 17 years old; Guidroz has not ruled out arresting these high school student and other steroid “users” on possession charges (”Steroid Bust,” July 22).

Dozens of people identified as “users” could face possession charges. Meanwhile, Sheriff Guidroz says investigators are contacting parents, coaches and school administrators about what they’ve found.