Sayreville man admits to running steroid lab

SAYREVILLE — A borough man pleaded guilty this week to operating a steroid manufacturing operation out of his home, and to the illegal possession of two firearms, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced.

Alfred Scarpa, 35, admitted to U.S. District Judge William H. Walls in Newark that he sold anabolic steroids, which he manufactured and stored in the basement of his residence, and that he owned and possessed two semiautomatic firearms, also kept at the residence.

He pleaded guilty to a two-count criminal information charging him with possession with intent to distribute anabolic steroids, and the unlawful possession of firearms by a convicted felon.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute anabolic steroids carries a maximum prison sentence of five years, and the unlawful possession of firearms charge carries a maximum of 10 years in prison, according to Robert Kirsch, the assistant U.S. attorney who handled the prosecution. Both counts also carry maximum fines of $250,000.

Scarpa was arrested at his residence on Sept. 20, 2007, when special agents of the FBI and DEA searched his home. The search reportedly revealed "a substantial, active and ongoing laboratory used for the manufacturing of Anabolic steroids," including numerous tubs filled with labeled, finished steroid products, a plastic receptacle containing more than 10,000 tablets of apparent steroid products, raw steroid powders, and numerous vats containing a variety of liquid steroid compounds that included labels for clomiphene citrate, boldenone undecylenate, stanozolol, primobolan, trenbolone acetate, nandrolone, and testosterone.

In addition, law enforcement seized a .40- caliber Glock model 23 semiautomatic pistol and a .40-caliber Springfield semiautomatic pistol.

In 2003, Scarpa had been convicted of a felony offense for conspiracy to distribute ketamine in Union County, and in 2000 he had been convicted of distributing cocaine in Monmouth County. As a convicted felon, he was precluded from possessing any firearms, Kirsch said. As part of his plea, Scarpa forfeited the firearms, which were seized by law enforcement.

Scarpa is free on a $250,000 bond, secured by his residence in Sayreville, and his wife's parents' residence in Howell, Kirsch said. His sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 16.

Parole has been abolished in the federal system, and thus defendants who are given custodial terms must serve nearly all the time imposed by the court.

Christie credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Weysan Dunn in Newark; and special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gerard P. McAleer.