Two Ponca City residents charged in federal steroid conspiracy case

OKLAHOMA CITY – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Patrick Lee Amadore Travis, 25, and Miranda Nichole Rhynard, 26, both of Ponca City, with illegal distribution of steroids, United States Attorney Timothy J. Downing announced Thursday.

According to the indictment, Travis and Rhynard conspired to distribute anabolic steroids, which are Schedule III controlled substances, from March 2018 until November 1, 2018.

The charges also include unlawful importation of pharmaceuticals with a counterfeit Viagra trademark, manufacturing anabolic steroids, trafficking in counterfeit goods, and possession of anabolic steroids with intent to distribute.

In addition, Travis is charged with possessing a Kel-Tec PMR-30 pistol in furtherance of anabolic steroid trafficking.

An affidavit in support of a search warrant issued on June 11, 2019, alleges that Travis and Rhynard own an internet-based company called Swolescriptz Research Lab and Swole-RX.  According to the affidavit, investigators found three pill presses, bags of powder from China, and a firearm in a cargo trailer when they visited the defendants’ Ponca City property on Nov. 1, 2018.  The affidavit states laboratory tests have confirmed the presence of anabolic steroids.

The affidavit further reports the defendants continued operating their business after the November 2018 visit from investigators.  During this time, they allegedly offered for sale substances they claimed would cause “increase in muscle mass,” although they included a disclaimer that “[a]ll products listed on this website are for research purposes only and are not for human consumption.”

Travis and Rhynard were arrested in Ponca City on the morning of Tuesday, June 11, and appeared for arraignment in Oklahoma City that afternoon.  Rhynard was released subject to conditions pending trial.  Travis has been temporarily detained in advance of a detention hearing scheduled for Friday, June 14.

If convicted of conspiracy, manufacturing anabolic steroids, or possession of anabolic steroids with intent to distribute, both defendants could be imprisoned for 10 years on each count and be subject to a fine of $500,000 per count.  These charges also call for a term of supervised release of not less than two years and up to life.

Trafficking in counterfeit goods could carry a prison term of 20 years and a $5,000,000 fine.  Unlawful importation could result in a prison term of 20 years and a fine of $250,000.  Finally, a conviction on the gun count against Travis would trigger a five-year mandatory minimum sentence, consecutive to any other imprisonment imposed.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the 8th District Attorney’s Drug and Major Crime Unit, with assistance from the Ponca City Police Department and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew P. Anderson.

The public is reminded that these charges are merely allegations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  Reference is made to public filings for more information.