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A Nebraska doctor pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court in Tulsa to taking part in a steroids conspiracy that a prosecutor said distributed more than 40,000 dosage units to dozens of customers across the country.
Dr. Raymond Heller of Omaha admitted that from Oct. 1, 2008, until April 8, 2010, he participated in a plot to dispense anabolic steroids outside the usual course of professional medical practice and without a legitimate medical purpose.
Heller, 49, stated in his plea agreement that he was paid $50 for each prescription he signed by Edward Franklin Ward, 51, of Harvest, Ala.
Both men were charged March 11 by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Tulsa. The charge against Ward is pending.
Heller said he signed prescriptions forwarded to him by Ward for androgenic anabolic steroids - primarily testosterone - to clients of Ward's "anti-aging" business without having conducted any physical examinations or even having any direct contact with the clients.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel-lyn McCormick said the conspiracy featured the distribution of more than 40,000 dosage units to dozens of customers throughout the United States, including in Oklahoma.
McCormick said the steroids were distributed to people in various professions and mostly came from a pharmacy in Florida. Heller's attorney, Keith Ward, who is not related to Edward Ward, noted that the steroids were prescribed to actual people and were not meant for the black market.
The prosecution is seeking the forfeiture of at least $1,092,074.98 from the defendants - an amount that is meant to represent "proceeds obtained as a result of the conspiracy," according to the charges.
But Heller stated that he disagrees with the government concerning the amount that should be forfeited.
U.S. Chief District Judge Claire Eagan will determine the forfeiture issue as part of the sentence Heller is scheduled to receive Sept. 29.
Keith Ward estimated that Heller - who is free on bond - could be sentenced to 15 to 21 months in prison under federal guidelines that appear to apply, although McCormick said the range could be higher.
Dr. Raymond Heller of Omaha admitted that from Oct. 1, 2008, until April 8, 2010, he participated in a plot to dispense anabolic steroids outside the usual course of professional medical practice and without a legitimate medical purpose.
Heller, 49, stated in his plea agreement that he was paid $50 for each prescription he signed by Edward Franklin Ward, 51, of Harvest, Ala.
Both men were charged March 11 by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Tulsa. The charge against Ward is pending.
Heller said he signed prescriptions forwarded to him by Ward for androgenic anabolic steroids - primarily testosterone - to clients of Ward's "anti-aging" business without having conducted any physical examinations or even having any direct contact with the clients.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel-lyn McCormick said the conspiracy featured the distribution of more than 40,000 dosage units to dozens of customers throughout the United States, including in Oklahoma.
McCormick said the steroids were distributed to people in various professions and mostly came from a pharmacy in Florida. Heller's attorney, Keith Ward, who is not related to Edward Ward, noted that the steroids were prescribed to actual people and were not meant for the black market.
The prosecution is seeking the forfeiture of at least $1,092,074.98 from the defendants - an amount that is meant to represent "proceeds obtained as a result of the conspiracy," according to the charges.
But Heller stated that he disagrees with the government concerning the amount that should be forfeited.
U.S. Chief District Judge Claire Eagan will determine the forfeiture issue as part of the sentence Heller is scheduled to receive Sept. 29.
Keith Ward estimated that Heller - who is free on bond - could be sentenced to 15 to 21 months in prison under federal guidelines that appear to apply, although McCormick said the range could be higher.