. Arntz's Web site lists him as a licensed mortgage broker and professional bodybuilder. Investigators found anabolic steroids valued in excess of $10,000 in Arntz's home on Friday, as well as $7,600 in suspected drug proceeds, according to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office.
Arntz, 35, earned his pro card in 1998, the same year he won the National Physique Committee's National Championship. He has competed in the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic and the Ironman Pro Invitational.
Arntz, who reportedly provided the expertise for manufacturing the steroids, was charged with conspiracy to manufacture a controlled dangerous substance, namely anabolic steroids, which are used to build muscles, said Deputy Chief Paul Kalleberg of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office. Arntz was taken to the Morris County Correctional Facility in Morristown and was released on Friday after posting $50,000 bail. Kalleberg said Arntz faces a possible seven- to 10-year prison sentence if convicted of the charges.
In all, 15 people were arrested on drug and weapons charges. The sting was coordinated by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Special Enforcement Unit, and included federal, state, county and municipal agencies, including the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
The primary goal of the operation was to shut down an anabolic steroids, gamma hydroxybutyrate, or GHB, and prescription-drug-manufacturing operation in Morris County, said Prosecutor Michael M. Rubbinaccio. According to www.theantidrug.com, GHB is a compound that is used by bodybuilders to stimulate muscle growth, but has also become popular as a recreational drug.
Two East Hanover residents were arrested for distributing steroids, GHB, cocaine, Cialis and Viagra. Anthony M. Cuppari, 24, a volunteer football coach for the Hanover Park High School and personal trainer at Planet Gym in Florham Park, was charged with drug distribution and conspiracy to manufacture anabolic steroids and GHB. Cuppari was also charged with distributing GHB to one 17-year-old Hanover Park High School student.
Michael B. Dente, 24, of East Hanover was charged with drug distribution and conspiracy to manufacture anabolic steroids and GHB. Investigators found a manufacturing facility in Dente's basement. Cuppari and Dente were receiving products used for the manufacturing of anabolic steroids, GHB and other pharmaceuticals from sources outside of the United States, Rubbinaccio said. Both Cuppari and Dente were manufacturing and distributing the drugs to area residents.
On Friday, investigators executed search, arrest and seizure warrants at the homes of Cuppari and Dente. They found anabolic steroids, GHB, cocaine and other drug-related items necessary to the manufacturing process in Cuppari's home. The drugs were valued in excess of $5,000. They also found $11,493 in suspected proceeds of drug sales.
In Dente's home, investigators found a fully functional lab with an operating pill press used to manufacture pills. Anabolic steroids, GHB, Cialis, Viagra, as well as other items used in the production of those substances were seized. The drugs were valued in excess of $50,000. An additional $800 in suspected proceeds was seized, Rubbinaccio said.
Additional searches were conducted at the East Hanover homes of Joe Monticello and Larry Zhou. In Monticello's home, investigators found more than 3 ounces of marijuana, a loaded semiautomatic handgun with additional ammunition, anabolic steroids, needles, Ecstasy, a stun gun, drug-related paraphernalia and $500 in suspected proceeds.
A search of Zhou's home turned up three handguns, 100 packages of heroin prepared for distribution and drug paraphernalia. The sting netted drugs, weapons, paraphernalia and vehicles valued at more than $300,000, as well as $20,393 in cash.
Last week, a North Brunswick man accused of illegally selling steroids and human-growth hormone, was arraigned on drug-related and money-laundering charges.
Daniel McGlone, 54, pleaded innocent in a Providence, R.I., courtroom and will remain free on a $500,000 property bond he posted in New Jersey. Federal Magistrate Lincoln Almond ordered McGlone to stay in New Jersey except for trips to Rhode Island for court appearances and to meet with his attorneys.
He is charged with a total of 80 counts regarding health-care fraud, conspiracy, illegal-drug distribution and 51 counts of money laundering. Prosecutors say McGlone made $860,810 through the alleged scheme from April 2004 until August 2006.
McGlone, owner of New Jersey-based American Pharmaceutical Group, is accused of advertising steroids and human-growth hormone in bodybuilding publications. When customers called, he allegedly paid two doctors to write medically unnecessary prescriptions for the substances.
