No Huskers charged in steroid case; TE arrested for DUI stop

March 2, 2006, Columbus Telegram

LINCOLN (AP) - The final case in the New York-to-Lincoln steroid ring all but ended with the conviction of a 25-year-old Lincoln man and no testimony by former or current University of Nebraska football players.

Kenneth Thompson on Tuesday was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute the illegal substance.

His sentencing was set for April 29.

Since the cases first broke in June, 13 current or former Husker players were listed among 132 potential prosecution witnesses, according to court documents.

Authorities had said the 13 were possible customers of the Lincoln men who handled the steroids mailed from New York. But no Husker was called to testify in any of the cases.

Asked on Wednesday why none was called, Assistant Lancaster County Attorney Bruce Prenda said: “I only call witnesses that have evidence to prove my case.”

Asked whether he was suggesting that none of the Huskers obtained steroids from the Lincoln ring, Prenda declined to answer.

The other two Lincoln men, Levi Lewis and Chad Case, have already been convicted.

In November Lewis was sentenced to one to two years in prison after pleading no contest to charges of conspiracy with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

Case pleaded guilty to attempted conspiracy to possess a controlled substance, a misdemeanor. He was ordered to pay a $500 fine.

The New York man, Vladimir Ribartchouk, in December was sentenced to up to three years in prison for conspiracy to distribute steroids.

Between July 2003 and November 2004, Ribartchouk sold steroids to his Lincoln connection, who then resold the drugs, prosecutors said.

Tomerlin stopped for DUI

LINCOLN (AP) - Nebraska tight end Justin Tomerlin has been arrested for driving under the influence.

Tomerlin, 23, was stopped early Sunday for changing lanes three times without using a turn signal, Lincoln police Capt. David Beggs said.

Tomerlin, a 6-foot-6, 265-pound transfer from Butler County (Kan.) Community College, had a blood-alcohol content of 0.11 percent, Beggs said.

Nebraska coach Bill Callahan said the team is monitoring Tomerlin's case.

“We have regularly educated our players on decisions, choices and consequences of alcohol in their personal life,” Callahan said. “We will make sure that Justin takes the necessary steps to deal with the issue.”