Los Angeles-area middle school teacher charged in steroid distribution scheme

FULLERTON, Calif. – Two men, including a Norwalk middle school teacher, are facing state felony charges for their role in an Ecstasy and steroid distribution scheme uncovered during a joint probe by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the La Habra Police Department.

Troy Olson, 44, of Norco, who taught math and science at Waite Middle School, is accused of one felony count of possession for sale of a controlled substance. Because he was in possession of a firearm during the commission of a health and safety code violation, Olson is subject to a sentencing enhancement, meaning he faces a maximum penalty of up to eight years in prison. Olson remains free on $50,000 bond pending trial. Officials with the La Mirada Unified School District advise that Olson was placed on leave following his arrest Aug. 29 and did not return to the middle school campus when classes commenced earlier this month.

The second suspect in the case, Cody Horn, 29, of Yorba Linda, is charged with three felony counts, including possession for sale of Ecstasy, sale of a controlled substance and possession for sale of a controlled substance. If convicted, Horn faces a maximum sentence of six years in state prison. Horn, who was arraigned Thursday, remains free on $500,000 bond.

The two men were arrested Aug. 29 by HSI special agents and La Habra Police Department detectives in the parking lot of a private shipping facility. According to court documents, Horn picked up a parcel at the facility containing more than two pounds of Ecstasy. Upon returning to the parking lot, Horn allegedly placed the package of Ecstasy in his truck and reached for a bag containing approximately 2,500 steroid pills from the passenger side of the vehicle.

Meanwhile, Olson allegedly drove to the facility parking lot where Horn dropped the package of steroids through the passenger window of Olson's car. As the exchange was being made, special agents with HSI and La Habra Police Department (LHPD) investigators, who had been tracking the package, arrested both defendants.

During a subsequent search of Olson's Norco home, investigators discovered approximately 10,000 individual doses of steroids, including pills and vials. In addition, special agents found five firearms, three of which were loaded.

The investigation is ongoing. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Ben Masangkay from the Orange County District Attorney's Office's Major Narcotics Unit.

For more information, visit www.ice.gov.