A Newtown police sergeant, civilian dispatcher and shift supervisor at the Bridgeport Juvenile Detention Center are among eight people arrested on federal charges for illegally selling steroids and prescription drugs, according to the U.S. attorney's office.
They were arrested April 29 and 30 as part of "Operation Juice Box," an investigation into steroid and prescription pill distribution. Federal prosecutors said investigators used wire and electronic surveillance for almost two months and found that members of the group imported steroids from China.
Authorities 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, federal prosecutors said.
Newtown police Sgt. Steven Santucci, 38, of Waterbury, is accused of selling steroids to four other people, including Newtown police dispatcher Jason Chickos, 46, of Bridgeport. The affidavit identifies Santucci as "the head of a steroid drug trafficiking organization."
The Newtown Police Department said Santucci was hired in 2000 as a probationary police officer and promoted to sergeant in January 2012. Chickos began working as an emergency communications dispatcher in April 2002.
Federal prosecutors said Santucci had been receiving wholesale steroid shipments from China since 2011. He allegedly processed raw powder and liquid steroids and repackaged them for sale in Connecticut.
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According to the U.S. attorney's office, Santucci used the phone app WhatsApp to communicate with his clients, including Chickos, the police dispatcher.
Prosecutors said Chickos bought steroids from Santucci and re-sold smaller quantities, along with Santucci's other customers, Alex Kenyhercz, 28, of Ansonia; Michael Mase, 32, of Sherman; and Steven Fernandes, 54, of Southington.
Federal prosecutors said Kenyhercz sold steroids to Mark Bertanza, 33, of Shelton, who was also arrested. Kenyhercz also allegedly sold prescription pills, including Roxicodone, oxycodone, Suboxone and Opana.
The following eight people were arrested as part of the bust:
- Newtown police Sgt. Steven Santucci, 38, of Waterbury, charged with conspiracy to distribute steroids and released on bond
- Newtown civilian police dispatcher Jason Chickos, 46, of Bridgeport, charged with conspiracy to distribute steroids and released on bond
- Juvenile detention center shift supervisor Jeffrey Gentile, 33, of Ansonia, charged with conspiracy to distribute steroids and released on bond
- Alex Kenyhercz, 28, of Ansonia, charged with conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and released on bond
- Mark Bertanza, 33, of Shelton, charged with conspiracy to distribute steroids and released on bond
- Frank Pecora, 53, of Derby, charged with conspiracy to distribute oxycodone. Pecora remains in federal custody ahead of a detention hearing May 5.
- Steven Fernandes, 54, of Southington, charged with conspiracy to distribute steroids, released on bond
- Michael Mase, 32, of Sherman, charged with conspiracy to distribute steroids, released on bond
Santucci, Bertanza, Gentile, Mase, Fernandes and Chickos could each face up to 10 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.
Pecora and Kenyhercz could face 20 years in prison apiece and a fine of $1 million.
The U.S. attorney's office listed Gentile as a judicial marshal, but a spokesperson for the state judicial branch said he works as a shift supervisor at the juvenile detention center in Bridgeport.
She declined to comment on the investigation but said Gentile, who was hired in July 2004, has been placed on unpaid administrative leave as the department investigates the allegations against him.
The Newtown Police Department said it "cooperated fully with authorities" when informed of the investigation into Santucci and Chickos.
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