Murfreesboro Officer Snagged In Steroid Probe

3 Metro Officers Also Accused In Probe

Reported By Jeremy Finley

POSTED: 5:08 pm CDT March 24, 2008

UPDATED: 11:12 am CDT March 25, 2008

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- A federal investigation into steroid use among police officers and the public has ensnared another officer and a personal trainer.

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On Friday, Murfreesboro Officer Phillip Hatcher graduated from the police academy and was stripped of his gun and badge on the same day. Investigators arrived the same day to interview the new graduate.

"I can confirm that Metro officers were among those who interviewed an employee of the Murfreesboro Police Department on Friday. That is part of this ongoing steroid investigation,” said Metro police spokesman Don Aaron.

Hatcher, three Metro police officers and an unknown number of state troopers are being investigated.

A photograph obtained from authorities by the Channel 4 I-Team showed nearly 100 vials of drugs that were seized as part of a joint Metro police and Drug Enforcement Agency investigation into steroid use in middle Tennessee.

"Make no mistake, there have been a lot of steroid material seized over the past several weeks," said Aaron.

A large quantity of the drugs, according to police, was sold by former personal trainer Scott Haines.

Metro police arrested Haines last week when officers said they found him dealing steroids out of his car and apartment.

Police said they believe Haines was supplying the three Metro officers with the drugs.

The I-Team has also learned that investigators are awaiting drug tests on some state troopers to see if they will test positive for steroids.

"This investigation is not over by any means," said Aaron.

The head agent of the DEA said the investigation falls under a much larger probe into steroid use and distribution in middle Tennessee.

Channel 4 News was told by authorities that the investigation will go far beyond a single supplier of the drugs.

Hatcher has been stripped of his police powers and placed on administrative duty. The three Metro officers have also been decommissioned and must remain at home pending the investigation.

Haines is in jail because his arrest last week was a violation of his probation for a methamphetamine conviction.

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