[NEWS] St Petersburg Times 11.01.03 Man is accused of dispensing steroids

www.sptimes.com/2003/11/01/Pasco/Man_is_accused_of_dis.shtml

Man is accused of dispensing steroids

The Wesley Chapel man had an operation set up to resemble a doctor's
office, deputies say. He faces 120 years in prison.

By MELANIE AVE, Times Staff Writer

Published November 1, 2003

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TAMPA - A Wesley Chapel man has been arrested for running what
Sheriff's officials say was an illegal dispensary for muscle-building
steroids, with a client list that included local professional
wrestlers, businessmen and law enforcement officers.

On Thursday night, after a month of surveillance, the Hillsborough
County Sheriff's Office arrested John Todd Miller, 35, at his
makeshift doctor's office at 1931-B W Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

He is charged with 14 felonies for operating an unlicensed medical
practice and possession and delivery of a controlled substance,
testosterone. He faces 120 years in prison.

Only doctors may prescribe the use of testosterone, a male hormone
which is often used by body builders and athletes to increase their
muscle size. It must be used regularly to maintain its effect.

"Mr. Miller was not licensed to practice medicine in any form in the
state of Florida," said Sheriff's Col. Jose Docobo during a Friday
press conference.

He said Miller gave regular injections and doses of anabolic steroids
to a customer list of about 100 people, including "very recognizable"
wrestlers and law enforcement officers.

No customers, who paid an average of $100 per injection of
testosterone, were named or charged.

But deputies did seize numerous records listing their names. Docobo
said they may be charged later depending on the investigation, which
is continuing.

"We're just really scratching the surface of this," he said.

Docobo would not say what agency the law enforcement officials using
steroids were affiliated with, but he did say they were not
Hillsborough sheriff's deputies.

"We have a lot of individuals to interview," he said. "We're looking
into all individuals regardless of their professions."

Miller, of 1131 Bay Crest Drive, Wesley Chapel, was released from jail
Friday morning on $33,000 bail. Neither he nor his attorney could be
reached for comment.

On jail records, Miller lists his occupation as a doctor's assistant
at the Pasco Medical Clinic. State records show the clinic was
registered as a for-profit business in Zephyrhills in 1998, but
dissolved in 2002. J. Todd Miller is listed as the agent and officer.

This is not Miller's first brush with the law. Records show he was
arrested in 1987 in Sanford for burglary. In 1999 he was arrested in
Brooksville for driving under the influence, and again on the same
charge in Hillsborough County in 2000.

Sheriff's officials said they began investigating Miller as a possible
supplier of illegal drugs in early September based on a tip. Deputies
began watching Miller's office and noted about 30 people coming and
going. The customers would stay only minutes at a time.

"It was clear they were there for one reason," Docobo said.

They also saw deliveries of steroids from a Marion County pharmacy.
The drug store thought it was dealing with a licensed physician,
Docobo said.

Thursday night, a person entered Miller's office and came out with a
package. Deputies questioned the individual, who showed them the
steroids. The person was not named nor has he been charged. Deputies
subsequently served a search warrant on Miller.

Inside, they found an office and small waiting area made to look like
a doctor's office and 126 bottles and numerous 100-millimeter
testosterone vials, some of which were empty.