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September 11, 2017: Three Florida Residents Arrested After Law Enforcement Discover Steroid and Fake Prescription Drug Lab

   

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Food and Drug Administration 
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             U.S. Department of Justice Press Release

 

  

For Immediate Release
September 11, 2017

United States Department of Justice

Middle District of Alabama

Montgomery, Alabama -- Three people have been arrested for their involvement in a steroid and fake prescription pill lab in North-West Florida, announced A. Clark Morris, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama.

Ryan Anthony Sikora (25), John Joseph Bush, II, (26), Ariel Anna Murphy (28), all of Chipley, Florida, were indicted in August by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to import, manufacture, and distribute anabolic steroids and fake prescription drugs across the United States.  On Friday, September 8, 2017, the last of the three defendants made their initial appearance before a federal judge in Montgomery, Alabama.

 

According to court documents, United States Postal Inspectors determined that large amounts of steroid and fake prescription drug ingredients were being shipped from China to various locations in South Alabama and North Florida.  It is alleged that Sikora, Bush, and Murphy were  using these raw materials and two large scale presses to mass-produce pills in an illegal drug lab discovered near Chipley, Florida.  In the lab, law enforcement found a large amount of steroids in the form of vials, finished pills, and raw powder.  Four types of fake prescription drugs were also discovered that were falsely labeled as Viagra, Cialis, Accutane, and Clomid.  Each of those four drugs are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are exclusively produced by major pharmaceutical companies.  They also require a prescription to be legally dispensed.  Sikora, Bush, and Murphy were allegedly advertising the drugs for sale online.

 

If convicted, Sikora, Bush, and Murphy each face a maximum prison sentence of 15 years as well as significant fines and restitution.  There is no parole in the federal system.

 

An indictment is merely a method of alleging that a crime has been committed.  All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

Acting U.S. Attorney A. Clark Morris would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance with this case: The United States Postal Inspector's Office, The FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), the Washington County (Florida) Sheriff's Office, and the Chipley, Florida Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bradley Bodiford.

 

 

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