Sheriff’s Deputies Henderson County and Decatur County Indicted by Federal Grand Jury

Thomas Derek Bowman, 25 of Henderson County, and Matthew Simpson, 33 of Decatur County, were indicted by a federal grand jury on May 18, 2009 for violating federal drug statutes announced Lawrence J. Laurenzi, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee.  The indictments were unsealed late Wednesday afternoon upon their arrest.  Both defendants have had their initial appearances in federal court and have been released on their own recognizance.

In two separate but related indictments, Bowman and Simpson allegedly conspired with other persons to distribute quantities of anabolic steroids in and around Decatur and Henderson Counties.  In addition to the conspiracy charge, Bowman is also charged with three counts of distribution of steroids, including Nandrolone Decanoate, Testosterone, and Methandrostenolone.  In a search warrant executed at Bowman’s residence in Lexington, approximately 500 dosage units of suspected steroids were seized.  Simpson is charge with not only with conspiracy but also one count of illegal distribution of Testosterone.  Each count carries a penalty of up to five years in federal prison.  If found guilty Bowman could face up to 20 years in prison and Simpson could face up to 10 years in prison.

These cases resulted from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration,  Federal Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, Decatur County Sheriff’s Office, and Lexington Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Jerry Kitchen is handling the case for the government.