Navarro Released; Servis, Fishman Remain in Prison

Jorge Navarro, who bragged he was the "Juice Man" in the world of Thoroughbred racing, was released from a Miami prison June 18. In 2020 Navarro was indicted on federal doping charges in New York for his role in a conspiracy to distribute and administer misbranded and adulterated drugs to racehorses. After being handed a five-year sentence upon a plea of guilty, he reported to the Federal Bureau of Prisons March 18, 2022, and served three years and three months of the sentence. Navarro benefited from the First Step Act, implemented in 2018 to reduce the federal prison population. Inmates who otherwise qualify and who participate in evidence-based recidivism reduction programs or productive activities can earn time credits to get early release from prison, including supervised early release if the inmate is deemed to have a minimal or low recidivism risk. In addition to the prison sentence, Navarro was ordered to forfeit $70,000 and agreed to pay restitution of $25,869,514. The chances of Navarro repeating doping offenses in the United States are likely slim to none for the foreseeable future. He would have to convince state regulators to restore his trainer's license in order to be in a position to commit crimes similar to the ones that landed him in prison. Although he was in the U.S. legally at the time of his arrest, Navarro is not a U.S. citizen. At the time of his sentencing, Navarro’s attorney said he would almost certainly be deported to Panama upon his release from prison. The attorney repeated that statement today to Thoroughbred Daily News, which broke this story. From 4,344 starters, Navarro's stable amassed $34,880,678 in career earnings according to Equibase. Navarro was a seven-time leading trainer at Monmouth Park and led the 2018-19 Championship Meet at Gulfstream Park. Navarro and former trainer Jason Servis were arraigned the same day, April 2, 2020, before U.S. District Judge Mary Jo Vyskocil. She eventually sentenced both men and expressed regret their prison terms were not longer. Servis was sentenced to four years in prison July 26, 2023, and is lodged in Pensacola, Fla. According to the Bureau of Prisons, his scheduled release date is July 16, 2026. Another major player among the 31 persons caught up in the federal investigation is Seth Fishman, a former veterinarian who compounded many of the drugs that were unlawfully used in segments of U.S. racing. His sentence of 11 years is the longest that resulted from the sweep of arrests. Fishman was one of only two defendants who took their cases to trial. Prosecutors put on evidence that for more than 20 years Fishman supplied illegal performance-enhancing drugs to trainers. At his sentencing hearing Fishman said, "I really have to apologize for what I did. There's no excuse for my behavior. I should have never pushed the envelope and helped trainers." Fishman is currently serving time in Miami and is scheduled for release June 29, 2030, according to the Bureau of Prisons.