Newtown Police Sgt. Steven Santucci was among eight people arrested last week on federal steroid and prescription narcotic distribution charges, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Connecticut said in a press release Monday.
The arrests culminated a long-term investigation, dubbed “Operation Juice Box,” into steroid and prescription pill distribution by several individuals, including Santucci, a Newtown police civilian dispatcher and a Connecticut Judicial Marshal, said Tom Carson, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Justice.
The investigation, which included the use of wire and electronic surveillance for almost two months, also revealed that the suspects imported steroids from China, according to the release.
The arrests were made last Wednesday and Thursday by the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations.
The following suspects were charged with conspiracy to distribute, and distribution of, various controlled substances, including steroids and oxycodone:
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
Wiretap interceptions of cellphone conversations between Kenyhercz and Bertanza, as well as physical surveillance of several steroid sales, revealed that Santucci was supplying steroids to Kenyhercz, according to the release. Authorities later learned that the sergeant was receiving shipments of steroids and related materials from China since 2011 and had been manufacturing and distributing wholesale quantities of steroids, Carson wrote.
Santucci often used the smartphone application WhatsApp to communicate with his customers, the release said.
Chickos, the police dispatcher, Mase and Fernandes were Santucci’s customers and also distributed the steroids in smaller quantities to their own customers, 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 powder cocaine, and four long guns, Carson said in the release.
Pecora is the only suspect still in custody pending a detention hearing Tuesday. The other seven men have been released on bond.
Both Santucci and Chickos are charged with conspiracy to distribute steroids and could face up to 10 years in jail and a fine of up to $500,000.