Florida's biggest ever steroid dealer pleads guilty.

Richard "Andy" Thomas pleaded guilty Tuesday in Tampa's federal court to possession with intent to distribute anabolic steroids, a charge that carries a maximum of five years in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.

A plea agreement leaves Thomas' punishment up to the judge, but prosecutors do not intend to oppose a punishment at the low end of sentencing guidelines.

When he was interviewed by investigators, Richard Thomas claimed that he sold steroids to professional athletes, including members of the Washington Capitals National Hockey League team, arrest reports state.

Nate Ewell, a spokesperson for the Capitals, said Tuesday that the league investigated Thomas' claims and none of the team's players was found to have used steroids.

"We never found any link," Ewell said.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office learned from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents that a package filled with steroids was spotted being shipped from Slovakia to the Thomases' home, an application for a search warrant states.

The package was wired with an electronic beacon that would alert when the package was opened. The package was delivered to Thomas' home, and the beacon alerted about five minutes later, according to an affidavit in the federal case.

Detectives went into the home and found Thomas "was the only occupant inside and was observed in possession of the opened steroid package."

Sandra Thomas was arrested on multiple charges, but state prosecutors did not file charges against her after her arrest.

Full story from the Ledger.

Authorities said Thomas had hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of anabolic steroids in his Stoney Creek Drive home in May when deputies and federal agents set up delivery of a package containing the contraband sent from overseas.

Investigative records show the drugs came in packages from outside the United States, and that Thomas said he bought them from China, Russia, Iran and other Middle Eastern countries.

Federal agents said they intercepted a suspicious package in Philadelphia on May 21. It was sent from Slovakia and addressed to "Mahlon" Thomas in Lakeland.

Agents and undercover Polk County sheriff's deputies wired the package with an electronic beacon to alert them if it was opened. The package was delivered to Thomas' address and an alert was sent within five minutes, an affidavit states. Thomas was the only person at the home.

Detectives found large quantities of steroids in Thomas' home, as well as firearms, packaging labels, blister packs full of Valium, a digital scale, books about steroids, body building trophies and photos, according to court documents.