Clinton Township police officer and champion powerlifter charged with steroid possession

A Clinton Township police officer who is a New Jersey powerlifting record-holder was arrested for illegal possession of an anabolic steroid, the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office announced Thursday.

Patrolman Christopher Weaver, 30, was arrested following a two-month investigation by the prosecutor's office, leading to the discovery that he had Methandrostenolone without a prescription, Prosecutor Anthony Kearns III said in a statement.

The officer has been suspended pending a review of the complaint by the police department's internal affairs personnel. It could not immediately be determined if he is suspended with or without pay.


"We are coordinating with the Clinton Township Police Department Internal Affairs personnel and continuing our investigation into this matter," Kearns said in the statement. "It is a sad and difficult task when we investigate law enforcement officers, but it is for the greater good."

The charge of possession of a controlled dangerous substance stems from alleged off-duty conduct, according to Kearns. Weaver was released without bail on his own recognizance, pending a first appearance in court.

Township Mayor Kevin Cimei said Thursday he knew of no problems with Weaver's job performance.


"It’s unfortunate on a personal and professional level for him and for him and the organization," Cimei said of allegations against Weaver. "I’m glad it was addressed and taken care of and that the prosecutor’s office is investigating."
Efforts to reach Weaver for comment were unsuccessful. A number listed for him was disconnected.


Clinton Township police Lt. Ryan Melsky, the department spokesman, would say only, "The only comment from the police department is our involvement in this matter ended several months ago. It's not our investigation. All comments really should come from the prosecutor's office."

Efforts to reach the prosecutor's office for additional information were not immediately successful.

Powerlifting champion

Weaver told The Express-Times in a 2009 interview he had been competing in weightlifting since he was 17.

His 722-pound squat-lift record set in the April 2009 New Jersey USA Powerlifting Federation Championships still stands in the 275-pound weight class. He was also named first overall champion at that competition, beating out 120 other contestants.

Weaver said at that time he took great pride in his drug-free pursuit of the sport. The USA Powerlifting Federation has strict drug enforcement policies on par with those of the International Olympic Committee, Weaver said.


"It proves that with some hard work ... you can accomplish things without drug use," Weaver told the newspaper in 2009.

New Jersey USA Powerlifting representative Robert Keller declined to comment Thursday night on the charge. He said he would forward information on Weaver's arrest to Larry Maile, president of USA Powerlifting and the American Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation, and to Bettina Altizer, counsel for USA Powerlifting.

State's steroid focus

The Star-Ledger in a December 2010 report found that hundreds of police officers and firefighters had filled prescriptions for anabolic steroids and human growth hormone from a Jersey City doctor, the late Joseph Colao.

Following that report, former New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow announced multifaceted strategy that, when fully implemented, is likely to include more aggressive investigations, increased steroid testing of officers and tougher oversight of doctors.

Last July, the attorney general's office released a steroids study group report examining steroid distribution and the connection to law enforcement and outlining the strategy.

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