Canfield man pleads innocent to steroid charges

Canfield police conducted a 10-month investigation before filing the charges.

STAFF REPORT

CANFIELD — A city man accused of supplying anabolic steroids to local gyms has pleaded innocent to more than 30 charges.

Robert Gizzi, 34, of Pine Cone Drive, was arrested Wednesday after a 10-month investigation.

He is charged with two counts of drug trafficking, 14 counts of possession of a controlled substance, 10 counts of possession of a dangerous drug, five counts of possessing drug instruments, drug paraphernalia, possession of criminal tools and money laundering.

Gizzi pleaded innocent at his arraignment in Mahoning County Area Court in Canfield on Wednesday evening. A pretrial hearing is set for June 12 at 10 a.m.

Canfield police said they received information in June that Gizzi was selling steroids to residents at area gyms. A short time later, a package of anabolic steroids mailed from Europe was intercepted by police.

“In June we were given information that Mr. Gizzi was supplying steroids to Valley residents,” said Josh Wells, Canfield investigator. “That’s when the investigation began, and in February we actually executed the search warrant.”

Police said the search warrant carried out at Gizzi’s home produced numerous steroids, syringes, the painkiller OxyContin and several other controlled substances and dangerous drugs.

Wells said because the investigation is ongoing, he cannot discuss whether more arrests will be made.

“I can’t comment on anyone specifically,” he said. “We are interviewing other people involved.”

Detectives said the Drug Enforcement Administration will be contacted to discuss possible source locations. Austintown and Boardman police departments, as well as the U.S. Postal Inspectors Office, assisted with the investigation.