Man Arrested on Steroid Charge

A Fountain Valley man who befriended football players at Fullerton College and told coaches he was a training expert and ardent opponent of steroids, has been arrested on suspicion of making and selling the drug, Fullerton Police said Friday.

Jeff Feliciano, 35, owner of Fountain Valley Research at 17229 Newhope St., was arrested Thursday after police searched the laboratory, Feliciano’s Fountain Valley home and a warehouse, Fullerton Police Capt. Don Bankhead said.

Police seized unspecified amounts of codeine and steroids, a drug that is illegal if used for muscle building, Bankhead said.

Feliciano was booked into the Fullerton jail on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance and possession for sale. He was released later Thursday in lieu of $25,000 bail.

Hal Sherbeck, Fullerton College coach, said Feliciano “told me that he was a professional trainer, that he had worked with some of the Rams. And he told me all the bad things about steroids.”

John Katnik, a center who will be playing for USC this fall, said: “I’ve known a few guys to use them (anabolic steroids). They’re usually the little guys, the guys who were nothing in high school. They thought it would make them better players. The coaches had no idea they were being used, I’m sure.”