Federal prosecutors say the leader of a Binghamton-based steroid distribution ring is to be sentenced in March after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute anabolic steroids and commit international money laundering.

37 year old Ryan Root of West New York, New Jersey and formerly of Binghamton admitted that between January 2011 and September 2015, he bought steroids from China that were shipped to him and 9 accused co-conspirators.

Prosecutors say Root and the ring distributed unregulated and potentially dangerous anabolic steroids, putting other people's lives at risk.

Root is the 8th to enter a plea in the case.

The cases of 48 year old Kent Fletcher of Alpharetta, Georgia and 50 year old Michael Gisondi of Belleville, New Jersey are still unresolved. Both are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute anabolic steroids.  Fletcher is also charged with money laundering.  Fletcher faces a maximum of 20 years in prison if found guilty while Gisondi is looking at a possible ten years.

The charges against Root carry a maximum of 20 years in prison.

Two Endicott residents, a Binghamton man and an Owego man were also among those arrested in the investigation.

None of the defendants that have pleaded guilty has been sentenced at this time.

 

 

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