Gregg Valentino describes the details of how he was arrested for selling steroids… and how he avoided a six year sentence.
Gregg Valentino is largely known for two things. He’s the man who’s biceps exploded (showcased in a video where he drained his own arms). He was also the man who was arrested for selling and distributing steroids out of his gym. The arrest went viral in the mainstream media due to the iconic image of his insane bulging biceps as he was taken away by the police. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Gregg Valentino explains the real reason he got caught and arrested by the police. He also explains how he avoided up to a six year sentence that would have destroyed his life.
Gregg Valentino might still have the wild personality he’s always been known for – but he’s a very different person than he was a few decades ago. Back in the day he was obsessed with getting big – using steroids and other performance enhancing drugs to build up some of the world’s biggest biceps. He also involved himself into the black market world of selling and distributing steroids. Gregg was eventually arrested. Unlike many drug dealers, Gregg’s arrest went viral due to his shockingly massive biceps. Many news networks and comedy programs reported it. For many unfamiliar with the bodybuilding world – Gregg Valentino’s look during his arrest was shocking.
But what was the real story of Gregg’s arrest? How did he get caught and how did he avoid a longer sentence? Ultimately, Gregg was only in prison for a few months. But it could have been much worse – up to six years worse. Luckily for Gregg this didn’t happen and he was able to return into the bodybuilding world, stay clean of selling drugs, and make a career for himself as a sort of shock-jock bodybuilding journalist.
In our sit down interview with Gregg Valentino, he describes how he got caught from a “rat” that sold him out. But he blames himself for being too cocky about the whole illegal business. He describes openly throwing boxes of steroids onto the gym counter when he would sell to “customers.”
Gregg Valentino also explains how he avoided a long term sentence – due to having a money saved up in a lock box. Of course, this money was almost taken away due to the government believing it was cash earned from selling drugs. He and his family was able to convince the feds that the money was passed down through family over the generations. He used it to strike a deal and shorten his sentence.
Yes, Gregg Valentino ended up losing an entire generation’s worth of saved cash – but if he had instead gone to jail for six years, his entire life would have been different. Gregg describes how his career in bodybuilding journalism couldn’t have existed. The money he’s been able to earn in the six years out of prison is far more valuable than the cash he lost in striking the deal.
Ultimately, Gregg Valentino had his eyes opened through being in prison even for a few months. He changed his ways, found a way to go legitimate, and looks back on those years fondly… but happy he saved himself from them. Now he’s got a good life – and a hell of a lot of interesting stories to tell.
You can watch Gregg Valentino’s full comments in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
