Description: Concord, New Hampshire criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with possession with intent to distribute steroids and causing a drug to become misbranded after shipment in interstate commerce.

Ralph Cardarelli, 44, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute steroids and causing a drug to become misbranded after shipment in interstate commerce. U.S. District Court Judge Steven J. McAuliffe scheduled sentencing for April 2, 2024. Cardarelli was indicted on August 16, 2023.

During the execution of a search warrant at Cardarelli’s residence on March 23, 2023, federal investigations discovered over 4800 vials and bottles of suspected controlled substances and prescription drugs, including: Nandrolone Phenylpropionate; Trenbolone Acetate; Dromostanolone Propionate; Boldenone Undecylenate; Testosterone Propionate; Trenbolone Enanthate; Nandrolone Decanoate; Testosterone Enanthate; and Testosterone Cypionate. These drugs are commonly known as steroids. Evidence was also discovered through the search warrant that Cardarelli was importing these drugs, manufacturing, and packaging them in his residence, and dispensing the drugs without requiring a prescription.

The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, at least 4 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

The Food & Drug Administration - Office of Criminal Investigations led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Derry Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Ward is prosecuting the case.

21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(E)(i) Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances
(1)
21 U.S.C. §§ 331(a)(1) and 333(a)(2) Introduction of a Misbranded Drug into Interstate Commerce
(2)

Outcome: Defendant elected to plead guilty.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

Comments: