THE YAMAGISHI CASE

by Allan Donnelly

On December 8, 2007, IFBB professional bodybuilder Hidetada Yamagishi was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport after a random search of Yamagishi’s luggage found Yamagishi to be in possession of a controlled substance. Yamagishi, a citizen of Japan, was on his way back to California, where he had recently relocated, from his home country. According to documents released by the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles, Yamagishi is charged with six felonies and three misdemeanors.

The felonies are: unlawful possess for sale and purchase for sale a controlled substance, trenbolone; unlawful possess for sale and purchase for sale a controlled substance, testosterone; unlawful possess for sale and purchase for sale a controlled substance chorionic gonadotropin; unlawful possess for sale and purchase for sale of a controlled substance mesterolone; unlawful possess for sale and purchase for sale of a controlled substance, oxandrolone; unlawful transport, import into the state of California, sell, furnish, administer and give away and offer to transport, import into the State of California, sell furnish, administer and give away, and attempt to import into the State of California and transport a controlled substance trenbolone, chorionic gonadotropin, testosterone, mesterolone, oxandrolone and stanozolol.

Yamagishi’s bail was set at $180,000, but because of an immigration hold, he remains incarcerated in the North County Correctional Facility in Castaic, California. Yamagishi has appeared in Los Angeles Superior Court twice, once on January 8 and most recently on January 23. On January 23, the court set a prelim date for February 6.

According to Shawn Chapman Holley, Yamagishi’s attorney, the defense is hoping to prove the quantity of steroids in Yamagishi’s possession make it clear that he was not transporting with the intent to sell.

“It’s clear that the quantity of steroids at issue is consistent with personal use and far less than one would expect to see in a case of sales.,” Chapman Holley said. “Moreover the quantity is consistent with what one would expect to see for a bodybuilder with the competition schedule Hide had posted on his Website before his arrest.”

Yamagishi’s case is being tried in state, not federal court, which is atypical of a case of this nature. That, in part, is why Yamagishi’s case has proceeded at this pace.

“This is an unusual case of state court and that’s part of the reason,” Chapman Holley said. “Everybody in the state court system, myself included, has to be educated on anabolic steroids use and quantities. The state system is generally easier to navigate from a defendant’s standpoint than the federal system, so we’re happy it’s in state court. But it’s just a matter of making sure that everybody understands what is – and more importantly what it is not.”

Since Yamagishi is not a citizen of the United States, he runs the risk of having his visa revoked if he is found guilty on any of the charges. Yamagishi currently has an 01 visa, which is given to people who possess extraordinary talents and abilities, such as professional athletes. Yamagishi also runs the risk of not being allowed re-entry into the US for any period of time, which will put his future as a competitive bodybuilder in jeopardy. That, however, will be a separate immigration case, which will take place after the criminal case has been decided. “All of that is in jeopardy and is almost certainly going to be lost,” Chapman Holley said of the 01 visa. “There’s also likelihood that he will be deported.”

Chapman Holley, however, remains cautiously optimistic. “I am hopeful that on February 6th we will have worked out a deal where, hopefully he will plead guilty to a misdemeanor count and be placed on summary probation with credit for time served and that will be the end of the criminal case.”

“That is going to give him the best chance to be able to come back to the United States and compete. I’m hoping that the district attorney’s office shares my view that those criminal acts, the only person that is placed in any potential jeopardy is Hide, if he chooses to take steroids. And why do we want to destroy this person’s entire career and livelihood and life? He’s been in custody since the time he was arrested, that’s a very long time, and he is going to have a very long immigration fight in front of him, so let’s let that be the punishment.”


source: flexonline.com

cops wasting time busting skateboarders and people using steroids to improve there life and physic.

I mean come on there are over 60 million illegal imigrants in US right now but hey fuck that we will hunt down people trying to improve they're life and waste 4 billion dollars a year taking care of these 60 million illegals oh but no cocain flows through this country faster than the oxogen but no they still want to talk to someone like a body building pro.

So i encourage everyone to say a prayer for Hidetada Yamagishi.

Best wishes bro.

He probally had a personal stash of AAS and the state is being completely rediculous with the attempt to distribute charges. Rediculous.

I new a guy who got popped with a good amount of heroin and was out on bail the next day. Did not spend any other time locked up. Paid a fine, community service and probation and that was the end of it.

Kind of scary how we US citizens think we are free. We really are draconian when it comes to certain laws. Thank Clinton for making AAS class III. He must have did it for the children.

actually clinton was probably on some test when he was getting his blow job and couldn't blow his wade then he got caught and said "I am Profoundly sorry but steroid are now worse than cocain and meth i would have aleast gottin off with the meth:lol

Guys,

When any type of dope arrest is made (I know ya'll gonna saying that steroids is not dope but the bottom line is that LE treats just like any other illegal drug. I know they shouldn't but we can't do anything about that)...any how, when an arrest is made they charge the suspect with as many charges as possible. This is called the "Throw as much shit against the wall and see if it sticks scenario" Trust me...I know what I am talking about. If he would have been in a car they would have charged him with illegal transportation as well.

When it is all said and done he will most likey either plea to a simple posession and get probation. The reason they didn't charge him with Federal charges is that the Feds don't care about that petty shit.

But one has to wonder...WTF do you think customs or anyone working airport screening is gonna think when they see a huge buffed out roid monster standing on line? They say oh yeah...secondary, this guy has to be holding. If you are that big You have to be an idiot to go to an airport or come into the country with as little as one tab of Winny in your possession. C'mon guys. If any of you that have been using for a while and live in a border state you know that every time you walk back accross the border they send you to secondary. You might as well wear a sign on your forehead that says "I am bringing roids into the country" Once again...trust me,,, I know.

This guy should have given the crap to his girl or someone else to bring in on a different flight. Even though they are messing with him to make an example out of him I am sure he will take a plea of simple possession and get probation. If I am wrong...they tell me after it is all said and done...But I have a feeling I will not be wrong.

But as a last coment...Ain't it F**ked up that stupid ass Lindsey Lohan can commit a hit and run while DUI and in possession of cocaine and not do any hard time? CA is all messed up

and she get more publicity for her movies and the world prays for her you say cali is mess up say the us is mess up and i am stuck here

That is True Tri...But...There is no where else in the World that would rather be. I love this country. I wasn't born here and it has given all the opportunities that I ever dreamed off. This country and life in general is what we make it. Lohan, not to take away from the point of this thread, is a product of the people that pay to see her stupid movies and thrive on seeing her fall on her ass. Oh well...

we're all stuck here Tri we need some one to take leadership of this country at isn't an ignorant prick... but by the time that happens with the process of evolution pigs will have grown wings and could fly.

Sorry bro but it was George Bush Sr we have to thank, Clinton wasn't in office till '93 and the Anabolic Steroid Control Act was passed in '90.