Maine’s Cooper to be charged Star player will be in court next week

University of Maine football star Stephen Cooper, who last month was found in possession of what were reported to be 1,000 anabolic steroid pills, is expected to be charged next week with a Class A misdemeanor at U.S. District Court in Bangor.

“He’s going to be charged with a misdemeanor,” said Bangor attorney Terence Harrigan, who is representing the 23-year-old Cooper.

Harrigan said the U.S. Attorney requested he not make public any other details until the case is heard in court, probably late next week.

On Nov. 1 Cooper, an All-America linebacker for the Black Bears, was a passenger in a vehicle driven by former teammate and fellow UMaine student Patrick Kenney, who was pulled over by the state police in the southbound lane of Interstate 95 in Hampden and charged with speeding.

During the stop, trooper Michael Johnston asked for and received permission to search the vehicle. He discovered the pills in a duffel bag belonging to Cooper, who reportedly admitted they were steroids.

Cooper was not immediately charged as the U.S. Attorney’s Office assumed responsibility for the investigation.

At the federal level, steroids are in the same legal class (Schedule III) as amphetamines, methamphetamines, opium and morphine. Maine guidelines list steroids as a Class Y drug, placing them below cocaine, heroin and amphetamines but just ahead of marijuana, according to Maine State Police spokesman Steve McCausland.

Cooper, who according to Harrigan has no prior criminal record, faces a maximum penalty of one year in jail, and/or a minimum fine of $1,000, and one year of supervised release (probation) for the federal offense, if it is simple possession. It is possible Cooper may not face any jail time.

Harrigan said Cooper will not do any media interviews until after he is sentenced. It could take up to 45 days after he enters a plea for the sentencing report to be filed.

UMaine President Peter Hoff said Friday he is looking into the issues surrounding the Cooper situation.

“I want to be assured that I am fully aware of all the facts related to this matter and its handling,” Hoff said in a prepared statement. “I am looking into the particulars with an eye toward determining if the actions taken were correct.”

Hoff apparently was referring to the fact UMaine officials allowed Cooper to continue practicing and competing for the football team after they had learned about the situation.

Cooper was unable to play in the Dec. 9 game, apparently because of a lingering ankle injury, but he returned to play in the Bears’ last two regular-season games and both of their NCAA playoff contests.

Paul Bubb, UMaine’s interim athletic director, said he could not respond Friday to several questions submitted in writing about the Cooper situation.

Cooper has been the cornerstone of the UMaine defense for the past three seasons. He led the Bears this fall with 121 tackles (10.1 per game), posted 91/2 sacks and made three interceptions.

Cooper was named the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season, earned the “Bulger Lowe” Award as the top defensive player in New England, and last year was among the finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award, presented to the best Division I-AA football player in the country.

Steroids are illegal in the United States unless prescribed by a doctor. The drugs enhance muscle mass and improve athletic performance but also can have serious side effects such as liver damage, mood swings and increased rage.