The IFBB pro bodybuilder says he was vindicated because he has a ‘pure heart’ and did ‘no wrong’.
Bodybuilder Nathan de Asha claimed that he was completely vindicated during a recent court hearing on September 16, 2019. De Asha must be wearing rose-colored glasses because that is not exactly what happened.
De Asha celebrated the fact that the judge decided against sending the professional bodybuilder to prison for selling anabolic steroids. Staying out of jail is great news for De Asha. But he was far from vindicated.
De Asha pleaded guilty to one count of possessing Class C anabolic steroids with intent to supply.
De Asha is now a convicted drug dealer who admitted selling large quantities of anabolic steroids to a cocaine- and ecstasy-dealing gym owner. This adds to his criminal record. And it could even give him problems obtaining travel visas in the future to compete in top U.S. bodybuilding contests such as the Arnold Classic and the Mr. Olympia.
“Vindicated…. Having missed the Olympia last weekend definitely paid dividends,” De Asha wrote on Instagram. “In court today for my hearing, I received no jail time and this is the result I knew I was going to get despite all the rumours online.
“When your heart is pure and you know you have done no wrong, it’s just about playing the waiting game. Yes I was nervous and that’s very natural for most in this position but my inner confidence knew I’d come out of this unscathed.”
De Asha could certainly have a “pure heart” and still sell steroids. And selling steroids may not necessarily be “wrong”. The law does not necessarily dictate morality. Yet selling steroids is still illegal.
De Asha may genuinely feel vindicated. It is obvious that the sentencing judge strongly disagreed.
Judge David Evans threatened to send De Asha to prison earlier this summer. Judge Evans ultimately decided to show leniency and gave De Asha a 12-month suspended prison sentence instead.
Judge Evans still found De Asha guilty of several “wrongs”. He did not hesitate to outline them during a stern lecture from the bench. The judge called De Asha a “disgrace to the sport” and a “disappointing” role model for children.
“As a regular competitor on the national and international stage, who has done well in bodybuilding, you are a disgrace to the sport and it is doubly sad, given how well you have done to overcome past behaviour and adversity,” Judge Evans said.
“What makes your behaviour more disappointing is that you project yourself as an ambassador for the sport to children.”
One thing that can be said for De Asha – he is a glass-half full type of person.