YOUNGSTOWN Man receives probation in case involving steroids

The defendant could have received 18 months in prison.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A Boardman man was placed on probation Friday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court for attempting to possess steroids.
Musa Alhamid, 40, of Shadyside Drive, pleaded guilty to the fourth-degree felony charge in September.
A second-degree felony count of steroid possession was dropped by prosecutors in exchange for the plea.
His sentencing was delayed while a background check was done. The background report recommended probation instead of prison.
Alhamid could have been sentenced to up to 18 months in prison, but Judge James C. Evans opted for a two-year term of probation.
Defense attorney J. Gerald Ingram said probation was proper because Alhamid has no other criminal record and it was not a crime of violence.
"The events following Mr. Alhamid's arrest have truly been a nightmare for him," Ingram said. "In 23 years of practicing law, I don't think I have ever seen someone so shamed and humiliated at finding himself in a situation like this."
What happened
In June 2000, federal authorities intercepted a shipment of steroids intended for delivery to Petra Food Mart on South Avenue, where Alhamid worked as manager.
A U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency officer, posing as a uniformed deliveryman, handed the package to Alhamid and watched him sign for it. Authorities believed the steroids were intended for sale to area athletes.
Ingram and Alhamid maintained that the package was not intended for Alhamid and he did not know what was in it. They admitted, though, that the evidence against him was strong, which was why he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge.
"I don't understand how this happened to me, but I will make sure it will never happen in the future," Alhamid told Judge Evans.
In addition to placing him on probation, the judge fined Alhamid $1,000 and gave him six months to pay it.
bjackson@vindy.com