Compounding pharmacy owners expected to plead guilty.

Less than a week after they were charged, two defendants are scheduled to plead guilty in a set of criminal cases alleging illegal distribution of steroids and performance-enhancing hormones to athletes. Set to plead on Nov. 5 are William M. Sadowski, 46, who ran the Robinson-based business ANEWrx, and John F. Gavin, 51, of Valencia, a registered nurse who worked for him. Both are charged with conspiracy to distribute steroids. U.S. District Judge Maurice B. Cohill scheduled the plea hearings. Criminal charges against both were filed Wednesday. On Friday, related indictments were unsealed in cases against Richard Rydze, 62, of Downtown; James Hatzimbes, 42, whose business is based in Pleasant Hills; and William Zipf, 56, formerly of Pittsburgh but now imprisoned in Morgantown, W.Va. The charges against Mr. Sadowski and Mr. Gavin alleged that ANEWrx catered to Dr. Rydze's clients. ANEWrx, court papers said, charged patients premium prices and paid part of the margin to the physician. Dr. Rydze faces a 185-count indictment alleging that he improperly prescribed steroids, growth hormone and narcotics, defrauded health insurers and obstructed justice. He pleaded not guilty Monday. He was one of the Steelers' doctors for around 20 years ending in 2007.