MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO BEING PART OF ILLEGAL DRUG RINGS

The former owner of The Body Shop fitness center has pleaded guilty to
being part of an illegal drug ring and Campbellsville University has
disciplined two students for using steroids.

A February indictment accused 35-year-old Ricky D. Burton of criminal
syndication, and distributing steroids and Ecstasy.

According to court records, nine Campbellsville University football players
were eyewitnesses to the drug trade.

Ecstasy, often called the "date-rape drug," is a designer drug from the
methamphetamine family with its roots in Russia.

A Campbellsville University international scholarship student from Estonia,
22-year-old Vadim Y. Shashenok, also faces charges in connection with the ring.

Burton pleaded guilty to:

- - Criminal syndicate.

- - Nine counts of selling steroids.

- - Four counts of selling Ecstasy.

- - Three counts of second-degree unlawful transaction with a minor.

- - Two counts of first-degree perjury.

Burton, of 504 N. Jackson St. in Campbellsville faces only eight months in
jail for his crimes.

The prosecutor has recommended that Burton serve 10 years in prison and pay
$20,000 in forfeiture. However, the prosecutor has also stated that he
would not oppose shock probation after eight months.

Burton reported to jail at 10 a.m. on June 25, as part of the agreement.

Burton and Shashenok were scheduled to go to trial on Monday, June 25.
However, Burton appeared before Taylor Circuit Judge Allan Bertram on the
Friday before his trial date to enter his plea.

The case began in November when Shashenok was arrested at The Body Shop. He
was not an employee there but did work out at the gym.

According to court records, the men were involved in selling the drugs
between January 1999 and October 2000.

Also according to the records, there are 13 witnesses in the case against
Burton and Shashenok. Nine of them match the names of Campbellsville
University football players listed in the university's 2000 yearbook.

"I am assuming they all worked out there," Kentucky State Police Public
Affairs Officer Dwaine Barnett said.

The News-Journal was unable to reach the detectives in the case before
press time for their comments on the football players' roles as witnesses.

Marc C. Whitt, spokesperson and vice president for communications and
marketing at Campbellsville University, stated in a written response that
the university is a proponent of clean, drug-free living for its students
and employees.

The university, he stated, cooperated with local officials who were
investigating reports of the alleged sale of steroids.

"Upon notification that a few Campbellsville University students might be
involved," Whitt stated, "the university immediately launched an internal
investigation.

"This investigation resulted in two students' admitting to the misuse of
steroids.

"Following their admission, the university took steps to discipline them
based on university policy..."

According to Commonwealth's Attorney Barry Bertram, Shashenok's computer
was seized during the investigation and e-mail and other documents were
found on its hard drive.

Bertram said that Shashenok has testified that Burton approached him about
the possibility of his obtaining steroids from his home country, which is a
part of the former Soviet Union.

According to Shashenok's testimony, he was able to obtain the steroids,
which Burton distributed. Burton also, according to Shashenok's testimony,
asked him to obtain Ecstasy, which he was able to do.

Burton has admitted his guilt, according to Bertram.

However, Burton's attorney, David Nunery, said that Shashenok's statement
that Burton approached him is false.

"That's simply not correct," Nunery said.

"Ricky was personally using the steroids and after a time began sharing and
selling them with other body builders ... and that is what he ultimately is
paying the penalty for.

"There are many involved in athletics," Nunery said, "who find it
attractive or necessary to bulk up."

"Most who use steroids in the body-building culture don't look at it as
wrong," Nunery added. "The Ecstasy was a very, very small part of it all."

Nunery said that Burton is pleased the case has been resolved "without the
public embarrassment of a trial."

In November, U.S. Customs officials intercepted a package being shipped to
Shashenok at The Body Shop and notified local law enforcement that the
drugs were on their way. Court records state that Shashenok had 450 Ecstasy
pills in his possession when he was arrested.

Added together, the charges against Burton could have carried a sentence
totaling 115 years in prison.

The case against Shashenok, according to Bertram, is still pending.

"We have made an out-of-court agreement," Bertram said, "in return for his
truthful testimony ... it's not yet settled ... he may still need to take a
polygraph."

Bertram said Shashenok, who would have graduated from Campbellsville
University in December and had already been accepted to a prestigious
graduate school, is currently in jail and faces deportation.

Burton's sentencing is set for Aug. 7.