A former wrestling coach in Virginia, who has been running from the law for many months, is now back behind bars to await his trial.

Ben Walter Hunter, 40, is now facing 31 criminal counts in Lancaster County, including steroid distribution and child abuse. Hunter was indicted by Rockingham County grand jury in January 2006. Said indictment was based on the allegation of a Lancaster boy whom Hunter had reportedly molested in April 2005.

Hunter, however, was allowed to post bond and visit his parents in Oklahoma. He never came back to face his crimes.

It was only on Oct. 10, 2008, Hunter was apprehended in Phoenix, Arizona. On Nov.17, he was returned to Virginia to face his crimes.

His capture was largely due to the “America’s Most Wanted”, where he was featured several times. A background on Hunter’s case from “America’s Most Wanted” site:

Lancaster County cops and the Virginia State Police say Hunter was a volunteer wrestling coach who turned his attention to one of his young wrestlers. He told the boy that if he wanted to be a state champion, he would need to step up his efforts.

According to investigators, Hunter convinced his victim to take supplements in order to enhance his physical strength. Police determined the so-called “supplements” were actually anabolic steroids.

Police say Hunter cultivated a friendly relationship with the boy’s father, and in this way, had unfettered access to the child. At one point, he even gave the family a computer — a seemingly generous gift. But cops say the real reason for the gift was so he could stay in close contact with the boy.

Tags: anabolic steroids, “America’s Most Wanted”, Ben Walter Hunter, steroid distribution, steroids, testosterone, wrestling, wrestling coach

Posted in steroid nation, Steroids and Anabolic Steroids, Steroids in Sports