Ex-Newtown Police Officer Sentenced to 16 Months in Drug Case

A former Newtown, Connecticut police sergeant who pleaded guilty to his role in a steroid distribution ring has been sentenced to 16 months in prison.

Former Newtown police Sgt. Steven Santucci, of Waterbury, was sentenced in federal court in Hartford and will be on supervised release after serving his prison term. 

Federal prosecutors said Santucci had been receiving illegal shipments of ingredients from China since 2011 and used the proceeds of the drug sales to fund a lavish lifestyle that included vacations and cruises to exotic locations. 

Officials said he charged more than $300,000 on two personal credit cards from April 2011 to November 2014, including more than $100,000 to pay for the luxurious vacations. 

About a dozen people were arrested in the case, which federal officials called “Operation Juice Box.” 

Authorities said they found hundreds of vials of steroids, about 600 grams of raw testosterone powder, 350 grams of powder cocaine and four long guns as part of the investigation. 

Santucci, who officials called the “head of a steroid drug trafficiking organization" pleaded guilty in December to conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.  

In a sentencing memorandum filed with the court, Santucci said his drug abuse began nearly a decade ago when his efforts at the gym failed to give him the body-building results he desired.

A judge also ordered Santucci to serve six months of home confinement, to perform 120 hours of community service while on supervised release and to pay a $5,000 fine.

He has been ordered to report to prison on Oct. 10.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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