The judge refused a request to sentence just to probation a man that cared about 5 children and his wheelchair-bound wife

The laws that ban usage of anabolic steroids have appeared due to certain conditions. They turned out to be responses to widespread usage of steroids in competitive sports. Anti-Doping Agencies hoped that prohibition of steroids would keep professional sportspeople far from intake of illegal preparations. But criminalization of steroids influenced on administration of steroids by competitive sportspeople slightly.
The steroid laws usually do not prosecute sportspersons who use illegal medications. On the contrary, non-competitive athletes and recreational bodybuilders are usually targets of the steroid laws. They suffer due to results of breaking these laws.
This is not only one’s opinion. Real facts display it. Let recognize: who is sentenced to imprisonment because of distributing steroids? For example, Ashley Dewayne Rivers of Alabama received 5 months in jail because he had sold about $2000 worth of steroids to a doctor. In fact, this person was not the target of a steroid investigation. He just turned out to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The estranged wife of this physician talked to federal investigators that her husband was involved in operations of black steroid market. So, the affirmation of this lady caused the situation, when the physician was investigated.
In fact, Ashley Rivers was a distributor of steroids for short time. This man sold these medicines to his friends. James Robinson, the defense attorney for Ashley Rivers, noted that his client had recognized his guilty completely and taken the total responsibility for his illegal operations.  The attorney confirmed that Rivers was a moral man. Although he broke the steroid laws, he realized the risks and admitted to his guilty.
James Robinson asked the judge to sentence his client just to probation.  Ashley Rivers cared about his physically impaired wife, 2 adopted children  and 3 children of his disabled brother. In addition to these conditions, this man gave about 40, 000 dollars for people that lost their homes due to tornadoes. It would be better, if this person were sentenced to probation. This man would continue his work for his family and other persons.
But Christopher Brinson, the Assistant U. S. Attorney, refused the request of the defense attorney for River. He stated that Rivers committed a serious crime and he must serve time in jail. Although the judge was inclined to agree with the request of the defense attorney James Robinson  at the beginning, finally he decided to agree with the Assistant U.S. Attorney and sentenced Rivers to 5 months in prison.
You may see that steroid laws have just a slight influence on professional sportspeople.