A former Philadelphia police officer has been ordered to serve six months in federal prison for his role in a multi-state steroid distribution ring orchestrated by a former police colleague.
Joseph McIntyre, 38, pleaded guilty last August to conspiracy, possessing anabolic steroids with intent to distribute and related offenses. On Jan. 29, U.S. District Court Judge Paul S. Diamond sentenced McIntyre to the six-month prison term, followed by three years of supervised release, as well as a $10,000 fine.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, McIntyre routinely bought steroids from former police Detective Keith Gidelson and redistributed the performance-enhancing drugs to his own customers. Gidelson obtained the steroids from overseas and had them shipped to Philadelphia directly or via contacts in California, authorities said. Both men were active duty cops at the time of the criminal activity but were later fired from the police force.
Investigators intercepted telephone calls and text messages between the men in which they discussed acquiring specific types of steroids from Gidelson’s suppliers for use by McIntyre’s customers, authorities said.
Gidelson pleaded guilty in October to his role in the conspiracy and was sentenced last month to serve four years in prison. ••
