ST. LOUIS • Two St. Charles County men have admitted illegally importing human growth hormone and steroids from China and selling it to other bodybuilders in local gyms, the U.S. Attorney's office said.

Keith Ashabranner, 32, of O'Fallon, Mo., pleaded guilty Monday to one charge of conspiracy to possess and distribute human growth hormone drugs. Gregory Loomans 40, of St. Charles, pleaded guilty in December to the same charge.

In their pleas, both bodybuilders admitted buying steroids and human growth hormone from China. The men used some of the drugs and sold the rest to other bodybuilders.

The Chinese drugs were shipped here with false customs declarations that claimed they were other, inexpensive goods.

Ashabranner admitted buying roughly $32,000 worth of drugs and making more than $30,000 from the sale of them. Loomans spent roughly $10,000 and made the same amount from their sale.

Loomans is scheduled to be sentenced March 16, and could face from probation to six months in prison under federal sentencing guidelines. Ashabranner could face six to 12 months when sentenced May 4.