By Max Bowen-max.bowen@northstarreporter.com
A North Attleborough resident convicted of leading a conspiracy to import steroids and distribute them across the United States was sentenced Tuesday to six years in federal prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.
David M. Esser, 48, arranged for the importation of raw steroids from suppliers, who were primarily based in Hong Kong. The steroids were, at his direction, shipped across the United States where individuals “cooked” the raw steroid product into liquid form, packaged the final product into pills and vials, and shipped the products to a stash house in North Attleborough. From there, Esser and others shipped the products to customers.
According to information sent by the U.S. Attorney’s office, Esser was first arrested in February 2020 and a second time 10 months later when, while awaiting trial, he resumed the sale, packaging, and distribution of anabolic steroids with co-conspirators in Virginia, Texas, and elsewhere in the U.S.
“David Esser oversaw every aspect of a sprawling drug operation in which he and his confederates prepared and shipped massive quantities of illegal anabolic steroids throughout the nation, and funneled his profits into real estate, cryptocurrency, and a luxury lifestyle, persisting in his crimes even after his initial arrest and pretrial release,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha. “Not only did his actions put thousands of his customers at risk, but they also reflect a breathtaking disregard for the law, both of which are appropriately answered by the significant sentence meted out by the Court.”
“Esser pursued his criminal enterprise and quest for profit— even after his first arrest in early 2020—trafficking illegal steroids manufactured by the network he oversaw. Complex cases like this require collaboration and HSI is grateful to our partners for their assistance on this case,” said Matthew Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge for the Homeland Security Investigations’ New England Field Office.
Esser pleaded guilty on March 23, to conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids, conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids while on (pre-trial) release, and money laundering. He was sentenced on Tuesday by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John McConnell, Jr., to 72 months in federal prison to be followed by 3 years of federal supervised release and a fine of $10,000.
In addition to the fine, Esser will forfeit $414,600 in proceeds realized from his criminal conduct as well as all interest in cryptocurrency that he owns or in which he has an interest.
