FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The wife of a 39-year-old man accused of plotting to kill her, her mother and her brother says her husband became delusional and abused illegal steroids.
Family members, including Jason Simione's wife, told detectives he had violent outbursts, delusional-type behavior and was abusing illegal steroids in the last few months.
They thought he was taking illegal steroids. But a source told Local 10 that Simione said was taking over the counter "equine anabolic supplements" -- performance enhancers for horses.
Richard Cuoto is the founder and lead investigator for the Animal Recovery Mission (ARM), an organization dedicated to eliminating animal cruelty.
"These products are not geared for and made for people," Cuoto said. "They're made for 1,400 pound athletes -- animals, horses. It certainly can be troubling. Having that type of paranoia, mixed with aggression from the products, you could be looking at a real dangerous person."
Simione is charged with abusing his 9-month-old son and looking for a hitman to kill his wife and some of her family.
Authorities said Simione converted their waterfront home in Dania Beach into a fortress, stocking it with more than $1 million in loaded high-powered firearms, ammunition and bomb-making materials, leading some to believe he had other intentions.
Simione's attorney, Dave Bogenschutz, defends his client, insisting Simione wasn't on the offense, but defensive.
"It's poppycock. He's not a terrorist. He's far from a terrorist," said Bogenschutz. "There may be an issue here as to him feeling he's in danger himself."