Doctor pleads guilty of steroid conspiracy charge

Dr. Raymond Heller of Omaha, a doctor from Nebraska, pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court in Tulsa to taking part in a steroids conspiracy.

The prosecutor said Heller distributed more than 40,000 dosage units to dozens of customers across the country.

From Tulsaworld.com:

Dr. Raymond Heller of Omaha admitted that from Oct. 1, 2008, until April 8, 2010, he participated in a plot to dispense anabolic steroids outside the usual course of professional medical practice and without a legitimate medical purpose.

Heller, 49, stated in his plea agreement that he was paid $50 for each prescription he signed by Edward Franklin Ward, 51, of Harvest, Ala.

Both men were charged March 11 by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Tulsa. The charge against Ward is pending.

Heller said he signed prescriptions forwarded to him by Ward for androgenic anabolic steroids - primarily testosterone - to clients of Ward's "anti-aging" business without having conducted any physical examinations or even having any direct contact with the clients.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel-lyn McCormick said the conspiracy featured the distribution of more than 40,000 dosage units to dozens of customers throughout the United States, including in Oklahoma.

Heller - who is free on bond - could be sentenced to 15 to 21 months in prison under federal guidelines, according to Heller's attorney, Keith Ward.