Newtown sergeant, dispatcher arrested on federal charges Feds charge 8 Connecticut men in steroid, prescription drug probe

NEWTOWN -- Town officials said they were shocked last week to learn a federal investigation into illegal distribution of steroid and prescription drugs led to the arrest of two members of the Newtown Police Department.

Authorities described Newtown Police Sgt. Steven Santucci as the leader of the operation.

"Based on what little I know about this, if it is proven to be true, I will be very, very disappointed," Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra said Monday.

Authorities said Monday that Santucci has been receiving shipments of steroids and related materials from China since 2011 and has been manufacturing and distributing large quantities of steroids. The Waterbury resident was one of eight men charged with conspiracy to distribute, and distribution of, various controlled substances, including steroids and oxycodone.

A civilian dispatcher for the Newtown Police Department, Bridgeport resident Jason Chickos, and judicial marshal Jeffrey Gentile, of Ansonia, also were arrested, authorities said.

Chickos and two other men were Santucci's customers and in turn, distributed the steroids in smaller quantities to their own customers, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Connecticut said in a news release.

Santucci used a smartphone application, WhatsApp, to communicate with his customers, according to the release.

The investigation, dubbed "Operation Juice Box," included two months of wiretapping cellphone conversations as well as surveillance of several steroid sales, according to the report. During the investigation, officers seized hundreds of vials of steroids, about 600 grams of raw testosterone powder, about 350 grams of powdered cocaine, and four long guns.

Santucci, who resigned from his job Friday, faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000. Chickos is on leave, said Carole Ross, the town's human resources administrator.

More Information Connecticut men facing federal steroid and prescription-drug distribution charges:

Steven Santucci, 38, of Waterbury, and a sergeant with the Newtown Police Department,

Jason Chickos, 46, of Bridgeport, and a civilian dispatcher with the Newtown Police Department,

Jeffrey Gentile, 33, of Ansonia, and a judicial marshal with the State of Connecticut,

Michael D. Mase, 32, of Sherman,

Alex Kenyhercz, 28, of Ansonia,

Mark Bertanza, 33, of Shelton,

Frank Pecora, 53, of Derby,

Steven Fernandes, 54, of Southington

Llodra was quick to add the arrests should not be a reflection of the fine work public servants do in the town.

Police Chief Michael Kehoe issued a release saying the town and its police department had "no arrest information and no investigative information regarding this matter."

The release also said, "When advised of the investigation and arrest, the Newtown Police Department cooperated fully with authorities."

The department said Santucci had been hired in 2000 and promoted to sergeant in 2012. His salary at the time of his arrest was about $81,540 a year, according to the department.

Chickos was hired in 2002 as an emergency communications dispatcher and was making about $54,450, the police department release stated.

Michael Ferguson, a special agent at the Drug Enforcement Administration, said law enforcement agencies follow these investigations "wherever they lead us," which sometimes means police officers.

"Wearing a shield does not give you a free pass to peddle this poison in our neighborhoods or to our families," Ferguson said in a statement.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Patricia Ferrick agreed.

"The top criminal investigative program for the FBI is public corruption matters," she said. "When law enforcement officers are involved in criminal activity, it brings a particular sense of urgency to the investigation."

Authorities also arrested Alex Kenyhercz, of Ansonia; Michael D. Mase, of Sherman; Mark Bertanza, of Shelton; Frank Pecora, of Derby; and Steven Fernandes, of Southington.

Pecora is the only suspect still in custody, pending a detention hearing Tuesday. The other seven men have been released on bond.

The arrests took place last Wednesday and Thursday and were coordinated by the FBI, the DEA and Homeland Security Investigations.

All suspects have probable-cause hearings in federal court this month, said Tom Carson, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Justice. After the hearings, authorities will present the evidence to a grand jury and request an indictment.

Staff writer Rob Ryser contributed to this report; noliveira@newstimes.com, 203-731-3411, @olivnelson