Whittier : Uptown Gym Owners Plead Innocent to Drug Charges

Owners of the Uptown Gym in Whittier pleaded innocent Tuesday to charges of possessing anabolic steroids and cocaine for sale.

Richard C. Gill, 49, and Rick Weaver, 45, had been charged in Whittier Municipal Court with one count each of possession of cocaine for sale, possession of anabolic steroids for sale and illegal possession of hypodermic syringes. Gill’s wife, Carol, 45, denied the same charges.

The three, all of whom are bodybuilders, were arrested last month after an investigation by Whittier police, who said they found steroids and cocaine at the gym. Steroids and cocaine were also found at the Gills’ home, and steroids and an AK-47 assault rifle were found at Weaver’s home, police said.

Richard Gill and Weaver are free on $5,000 bail; Carol Gill is free on her own recognizance. All three defendants will have a preliminary hearing Aug. 29.

The gym and the Gills’ home were seized by federal and local authorities July 12. Weaver’s home was not seized. Federal marshals reopened the gym after the seizure and appointed an acting manager.