OCEAN TOWNSHIP – A former police officer admitted that he was in possession of a drug without a legal prescription, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
The drug is called Clenbuterol, which is used for breathing disorders in animals. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, it is not approved for human use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However, humans do use it as a weight loss supplement.
Ryan Vaccaro, 38, of Ocean Township (Monmouth County), pleaded guilty to fourth-degree Possession of a Prescription Legend Drug (Clenbuterol), before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Lourdes Lucas.
As part of a plea agreement, he admitted to be in possession of five or more dosage units of Clenbuterol between May 1, 2018 and Feb. 19, 2019.
Vaccaro was charged on February 19, 2019 with fourth degree Possession of a Prescription Legend Drug, second degree Possession with Intent to Distribute a Prescription Legend Drug, and second degree Distribution of a Prescription Legend Drug, as a result of an investigation connected to former Deal Police Officer Joseph Ammaturo, who entered a guilty plea last month.
Ammaturo had bought three boxes of Astralean Clenbuterol containing approximately 150 pills from Vaccaro and that Ammaturo distributed two of those boxes to other individuals. Additional Clenbuterol pills were found in Vaccaro’s home via a search warrant.
As an additional part of his plea, Vaccaro is not allowed to hold public office in the state.
“We will continue to prosecute law enforcement officers who fail to respect their responsibilities to the community and to their colleagues who put their lives on the line each and every day,” Gramiccioni said.
“I am pleased that this case has finally concluded and we as an organization can put this behind us. The Ocean Township Police Department is a highly professional and community-minded organization and we will not let the actions of a former police officer overshadow the great work and dedication by the men and women of this department,” said Ocean Township Police Chief Steven R. Peters.
