WORCESTER – Two men accused of helping another distribute steroids in the Worcester area pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to their role in the scheme.

Ryan Baillargeon and Alan Rich, two local men in their early 30s, are accused of aiding Daniel Frederickson in the ring.

Mr. Frederickson allegedly obtained raw steroid powder from China that he then processed into pill form using the aid of a tableting machine.

Authorities said they learned of the operation through a tip and confirmed it by having that person do a controlled buy of the drugs. According to an affidavit filed by a Drug Enforcement Agency agent, Mr. Frederickson had many of the drugs shipped in the name of Mr. Baillargeon, with whom he lived on Warner Avenue in Worcester.

Mr. Frederickson allegedly did the production and selling; Mr. Baillargeon, in addition to allowing his name to be used for shipping purposes, allegedly helped collect the packages and sometimes bottle liquid steroids.

When police went to the pair’s home in March 2014 with a warrant, they found an anabolic steroid conversion lab along with 20,000 doses of suspected finished steroids in pill and liquid form. The men, who were home at the time of the search, confessed.

Mr. Frederickson was charged with conspiracy to possess steroids with intent to distribute and possession of a tableting machine. Mr. Baillargeon was charged with conspiracy to possess steroids with intent to distribute.

Mr. Baillargeon pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court to his charge, and is due to be sentenced in mid-December. His lawyer, William H. Connolly, said in an email that his client’s participation “was so limited that the government has agreed to recommend that my client not serve any jail time.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine H. Ferguson said in court Thursday the maximum penalty for the crime is up to 10 years in prison, supervised release for up to life and a fine of up to $500,000.

Mr. Rich, who lived with Mr. Frederickson’s sister in Shrewsbury, also played a lesser role in the scheme, authorities said. According to the agent’s affidavit, he allowed Mr. Frederickson to store the tableting machine at his home in exchange for $1,000 and some steroids, and was present when Mr. Frederickson used it.

Mr. Rich pleaded guilty Thursday to possession of a tableting machine, telling Judge Timothy S. Hillman he was actually paid $250. His plea recommendation was not discussed in open court, and his lawyer declined comment following the hearing.

Ms. Ferguson said the tableting machine charge carries a maximum penalty of up to 4 years in prison, supervised release of up to 1 year and a fine of up to $250,000. His sentencing is also set for mid-December.

Contact Brad Petrishen at brad.petrishen@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @BPetrishenTG.