Steroid suspect says he supplied pro athletes

LAKELAND - A steroid bust in Polk County could could reach deep into the ranks of professional sports.

A Lakeland body builder arrested last night says he's been supplying baseball and hockey stars with steroids.

Deputies arrested Richard Thomas and his wife Sandra at their home in the 1000 block of Stony Creek Drive in Lakeland Tuesday, in what they're calling the largest bust in the county's history.

Richard Thomas, 35, claims that he has sold steroids to a number of professional athletes over the last few years including players with the Washington Capitals and the Washington Nationals.

"'You name the sport and I've sold it,' he specifically told us that he has sold drugs to pro baseball players, pro football players and pro hockey players," Sheriff Grady Judd said during a news conference.

Investigators said Thomas would not give them any names, and at this point they do not have any corroborating evidence of his claims.

Detectives found thousands of doses of steroids, pills, vials, syringes and loaded weapons in the couple's home, according to the sheriff's office.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said they received a tip from Philadelphia about a drug deal in Lakeland and notified local narcotics detectives.

Detectives said Thomas told them he would buy the drugs himself in various places around the world including Iran, Pakistan, Russia and China.

"To me that's more frightening than his allegations about professional baseball players," Sheriff Judd said. "How does such things get here from such countries?"

Thomas also told detectives doing drugs and selling drugs is all he's ever known, claiming at one time he was the largest steroid supplier in the state, officials said.

Detectives said Thomas works out at a nearby Gold's Gym, and they are looking into the possibility he sold steroids there.

"He has worked out here, but we had no idea of anything going on," Gold's Gym Owner Kathy Neel said. "We have over 3,000 members and he was just a regular member as far as we knew."

Thomas and his wife face a string of charges including possession of steroids with intent to sell, possession of firearms. Officials said federal charges may also be filed.