The Waterloo football player caught with thousands of vials of anabolic steroids and human growth hormone (hGH) will likely face trial next year according to his lawyer. Nathan Zettler was arrested in March 2010 after he was implicated in a series of burglaries with his roommates Eric Legare and Matthew Valeriote.
Police searched Zettler’s house after Valeriote was caught using a stolen credit card at a local McDonald’s and found steroids in Zettler’s room. All three were charged with various counts involving breaking and entering, possession of stolen property and the use of a stolen credit card. However, only Zettler was charged with possession of anabolic steroids for the purpose of trafficking.
It was Zettler’s steroid bust that initiated the investigation that led to the downfall of the University of Waterloo football program that involved eight footballs players caught using steroids and the one year suspension of the entire football team.
Zettler’s roommates were given a slap on the wrist after pleading guilty. Valeriote was sentenced to one year probation and a $200 fine. Legare was sentenced to nine months of house arrest. Meanwhile, Zettler has been under house arrest since April 2010 while awaiting trial.
Zettler was one of two Waterloo football players charged with steroid distribution.
Brandon Krukowski was acquitted after a Canadian judge believed Krukowski over the testimony of two of Krukowski’s former teammates.
Former linebacker Eric Polini testified that Krukowski knowingly sold him illegal anabolic steroids and that the full chemical name was clearly listed on the label. Former running back Matt Socholotiuk testified that Krukowski offered to sell him anabolic steroids.
Krukowski testified that he only offered to sell a product called “Tbol”. Tbol is an over-the-counter dietary supplement manufactured and distributed by Thermolife.
Judge Roderick Flaherty chose to believe Krukowski.
Zettler certainly hopes his case is heard by Judge Flaherty. However, Zettler now faces 11 criminal charges involving steroid dealing and burglary as opposed to a single charge against Krukowski.
Thus far, none of the athletes involved in the Waterloo steroid scandal have served jail time.
Source:
Mercer, G. (August 9, 2011). Steroids case a long way from trial. Retrieved from http://www.therecord.com/news/local/article/576073–steroids-case-a-long-way-from-trial
