SEATTLE - Federal prosecutors say he was a doctor turned drug dealer.

This week they charged Seattle physician and surgeon Howard Levine with distributing steroids after a two-year investigation.

Levine was indicted by a federal grand jury and jailed Friday, pending trial.

He pleaded not guilty.

On Friday the state health department also issued a summary suspension, yanking his license.

With his checkered past -- some people may ask the question -- why did he have a license to practice medicine in the first place?

Undercover DEA agents say they paid cash for anabolic steroids from Levine – without getting a physical or answering any questions -- at the doctor's unorthodox Capitol Hill anti-aging clinic.

"There was a pool table in the examining room. There were books on the shelves that were hollowed out and there was no medical staff there," said Mark Parrent, Assistant U.S. Attorney.

Steroids have medical uses, but their abuse by youth and athletes has become a big problem with serious health consequences.

Authorities are investigating whether "roid rage" could have triggered professional wrestler Chris Benoit to kill his family and then himself last weekend.

Levine has a troubled past -- both in an out of the medical profession.

In the 90s he was one of the first doctors nationwide sanctioned for improperly selling prescription drugs on the internet.

And in 1999 the San Diego FBI arrested Levine -- and he was later convicted -- for trying to extort a half million dollars from Jack in the Box, claiming they'd served him spoiled food.

Still, the state Health Department allowed Levine to continue practicing medicine after his release from federal prison.

Prosecutors say they wanted to continue investigating Levine

A relative called police a few weeks ago when he became concerned about the doctor's mental state.

In a confrontation, officers reported that Levine seemed abnormally strong and it took a half dozen officers to get him in handcuffs.

That forced the hand of prosecutors, who filed charges this week.