Alleged Leader of Steroid Distribution Conspiracy Charged With Distributing Steroids, Money Laundering

 PROVIDENCE – A North Attleboro man awaiting trial in federal court in Providence on charges he allegedly led a conspiracy that arranged for the importation and distribution of large quantities of steroids has been arrested and charged with conspiring to distribute anabolic steroids and money laundering.

It is alleged in court documents that David M. Esser, 47, while awaiting trial on charges brought in February 2020 in U.S. District Court in Providence, resumed arranging for the sale, packaging, and distribution of anabolic steroids with at least one individual, a Virginia resident he allegedly conspired with in the past. It is alleged that the individual in Virginia received, prepared, packaged and shipped steroids to Esser’s customers at Esser’s direction. The orders were arranged through various means, including text messaging and encrypted emails. Payment was made in cash or by cryptocurrency.

Esser’s alleged continued criminal conduct came to light during an unrelated DEA drug trafficking investigation in Virginia. According to court documents, evidence and information allegedly included communications and information sharing between Esser and the individual in Virginia, to include steroid orders, pricing, payment methods, and shipping instructions. It is alleged the two also communicated about Esser’s business dealings, court case, and automobiles they purchased. Esser also shared photographs of a scantily clad woman he described as being his girlfriend and foods that he ate.

While on pre-trial release awaiting trial on a federal criminal complaint brought in February 2020 charging him with intent to distribute Schedule III and IV Controlled Substances; conspiracy to distribute, possess with intent to distribute and conspiracy to import Schedule III and IV Controlled Substances; manufacturing and distributing Schedule III and IV Controlled Substances; importation of Controlled Substances into the United States; trafficking in counterfeit goods and services; smuggling goods into the United States; as well as wire fraud and money laundering, Esser was arrested on Friday and appeared today in U.S. District Court in Providence on charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and money laundering, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge David Magdycz.

Esser was ordered detained.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gerard B. Sullivan.

Esser’s alleged criminal activity is being investigated by a team of law enforcement agencies led by Homeland Security Investigations. United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge David Magdycz thank the DEA and the Mansfield, MA, Police Department for their assistance in the investigation of this most recent matter.

A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.