Firefighter sentenced in steroids case


Published: Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 4:14 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 4:14 p.m.


MANATEE COUNTY - The third federal sentence in the Manatee County steroids investigation was passed down Thursday morning.


Wayne Faulkner, a firefighter with West Manatee Fire and Rescue, will spend one year on probation, in addition to completing substance abuse and mental health programs. The decision was rendered by U.S. District Judge Susan Bucklew at the U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida in Tampa.


Faulkner previously entered a guilty plea to possession of steroids with intent to distribute.


Faulkner is the third person to be sentenced on federal charges in a steroids investigation last year in Manatee County.


Former Manatee County sheriff’s deputy Thomas Peel was given two years of probation in February, though it could be terminated after the first six months if he meets stipulations for treatment.


Aaron Larkin, whose employer is not listed on his arrest report, was sentenced last week to three years of probation.


Several defendants who have entered guilty pleas for possession of steroids with intent to distribute are still awaiting sentencing: James Sevier, a doctorate student at Auburn University; Andrew Cleveland, a personal trainer at Crunch Fitness on University Parkway; Gregory Waldo, of Parrish Fire District, and his wife, Stephanie.


Former deputies Tom Frank and Chris Tucker, who faced state charges, have already entered and completed pretrial intervention programs.


Jac Choate, the confidential informant on the case, also faces state charges. He has entered a not guilty plea and has a case management hearing scheduled next month.